RPO rate
A run-pass option, or RPO, is a play designed so the quarterback chooses after the snap between handing off and throwing, usually by reading a single defender. RPO rate is the share of an offense's plays that FTN's charters marked as an RPO.
On an RPO the line blocks a run while one or more receivers run a quick pass route, and the quarterback watches a chosen defender: if that defender plays the run, he throws; if he drops into coverage, he hands off. FTN's charters mark each play built that way. The rate divides those by all of an offense's charted plays, and a play counts whichever option the quarterback took.
RPO Rate — 2026 leaders
| # | Team | RPO% | RPO | Plays | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City Chiefs | 9.1% | 22 | 242 | |
| 2 | Cincinnati Bengals | 7.2% | 17 | 235 | |
| 3 | Philadelphia Eagles | 7.2% | 16 | 222 | |
| 4 | Carolina Panthers | 6.5% | 17 | 260 | |
| 5 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 6.5% | 16 | 246 | |
| 6 | Buffalo Bills | 5.5% | 13 | 236 | |
| 7 | Indianapolis Colts | 5.5% | 13 | 238 | |
| 8 | Baltimore Ravens | 5.0% | 12 | 240 | |
| 9 | Cleveland Browns | 4.8% | 11 | 230 | |
| 10 | Miami Dolphins | 4.8% | 11 | 231 |
Why it matters
RPOs make a defender wrong whatever he does, which is why they are a staple of offenses built around a mobile or quick-reading quarterback. A team leaning on them is asking its passer to make a decision on most snaps, and its run and pass numbers are harder to read separately because many plays were both until the ball moved.
The counter
Charting what was designed as an option means judging intent from film, and an RPO that becomes a plain handoff can look like any other run. The rate is a well-informed reading of design, not something the play-by-play itself records.
More football stats explained
- EPA (expected points added)
- EPA per dropback
- Success rate
- CPOE (completion percentage over expected)
- ANY/A (adjusted net yards per attempt)
- RYOE (rushing yards over expected)
- Target share
- Air yards share
- WOPR (weighted opportunity rating)
- aDOT (average depth of target)
- YAC over expected
- Separation
- Pressure rate
- Blitz rate
- Man and zone coverage splits
- PROE (pass rate over expected)
- Stacked box rate
- Half-PPR (and how it differs from full PPR)
- The usage gap (snaps versus production)
- Pythagorean wins
- Stickiness (what repeats and what does not)
- Snap share
- Pass-snap share
- YPRR (yards per route run)
- Availability (the “stayed” rate)
- Handcuff
- Play-action rate
- Pre-snap motion rate
- Drop rate
- Contested catch rate
- Interception-worthy throws
- Quarterback-fault sacks
- Intended air yards (IAY)
- Deep ball rate
- QB Composite Rating
- Screen pass rate
- No-huddle rate
- Light box rate
- Throwaway rate
- Catchable throw rate
- Out-of-pocket rate
- Time to throw
- Aggressiveness
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