Let's discuss 2025 NFL Rule Changes...

[dreamcastrocks]

NFL rule changes: New overtime format, expanded replay assist coming to league in 2025

The NFL will bring its postseason overtime rules to the regular season in 2025.

sports.yahoo.com

Details can be found above, but below are the highlights...


Rules that will be changed
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NFL votes to update overtime format to allow both teams to have the ball regardless.

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The second rule change for the 2025 season involves which penalties can be subject to replay review. Under the new policy, "hits on a defenseless player, grabbing the facemask, performing a horse-collar tackle, tripping, and running into or roughing the kicker" can be reviewed, according to Pro Football Talk.
That proposal comes with a catch, however. Those penalties can only be reviewed if officials throw a flag on the play. If a coach believes the flag was not warranted, he can challenge and potentially have the penalty overturned. In cases where no flag is thrown by an official on a play, coaches will not be eligible to challenge. If an official misses a penalty, a coach can't use replay to change the situation.

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NFL will use cameras to measure first downs

The league will use six 8K cameras to track the ball's position on the field.

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Touchbacks will be placed on the 35 yard line instead of the 30.

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Teams now can speak directly with free agents.

The Pittsburgh Steelers proposed the new rule, which will allow teams to speak directly to free agents and schedule travel for those players during negotiating windows.


Rules that did not pass or were shelved for later discussion

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Change of playoff seeding to be based on win percentage.

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Eliminate automatic first downs on defensive holding and illegal contact penalties

Thoughts?

 

[Dback Jon]

I like the OT rule.

I like the challenge on the penalties

I like using electronics for marking the ball

Not sure on the kickoff rule

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I like the OT rule.

It just seems obvious.

I like the challenge on the penalties

I don't like that the refs had to throw a flag on the play for it to be challenged. Seems to only half fix the issue.

I like using electronics for marking the ball

Another obvious one. I wonder if they will use it as well for goal line situations. I haven't found out for sure one way or another...

Not sure on the kickoff rule

I like it. The return percentage should go way up if you can get a guaranteed 35 yard 'return.' I see lots of teams trying to kick it to the 5 yard line...

 

[Totally_Red]

Like the ability to talk to free agents during the tampering period.

 

[cardpa]

Don't like the defensive holding one. Too easy for a defense on third and long to hold, only give up 5 yards and still have a chance to force a fourth down on the next play. A hold by the defense can very easily prevent a first down play from occurring, giving the defense another chance to prevent a third down conversion on the next play. You are going to see a lot more holding penalties on third and long situations. by long I mean third downs where the offense needs approximately 12 or more yards to convert.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Don't like the defensive holding one. Too easy for a defense on third and long to hold, only give up 5 yards and still have a chance to force a fourth down on the next play. A hold by the defense can very easily prevent a first down play from occurring, giving the defense another chance to prevent a third down conversion on the next play. You are going to see a lot more holding penalties on third and long situations. by long I mean third downs where the offense needs approximately 12 or more yards to convert.

Defensive holding penalties did not change. I wanted to point out also what was voted on/discussed and didn't pass.

 

[oaken1]

Don't like the defensive holding one. Too easy for a defense on third and long to hold, only give up 5 yards and still have a chance to force a fourth down on the next play. A hold by the defense can very easily prevent a first down play from occurring, giving the defense another chance to prevent a third down conversion on the next play. You are going to see a lot more holding penalties on third and long situations. by long I mean third downs where the offense needs approximately 12 or more yards to convert.

Agree. Had they changed that I would have been bummed.

 

[BritCard]

Agree with all of them

 

[blindseyed]

It would be so easy to put a chip in the ball and on the yard markers (and endzone cones) for 1st downs and TDs

 

[gimpy]

It would be so easy to put a chip in the ball and on the yard markers (and endzone cones) for 1st downs and TDs

How would that work? And how many chips?
Or does any part of the ball work? Chip in the front nose of the ball, but what if it doesn't cross, but the back of the ball does? I don't know how that works. Maybe someone does and can explain it?
And why just on the yard marker?

 

[blindseyed]

How would that work? And how many chips?
Or does any part of the ball work? Chip in the front nose of the ball, but what if it doesn't cross, but the back of the ball does? I don't know how that works. Maybe someone does and can explain it?
And why just on the yard marker?

A chip can radiate to any part of the ball, they're not very expensive to make (NFL is worth billions) and with Bluetooth and different frequency technologies it would be fairly simple to set up. The biggest issue would be insulating the technology from the constant beating of the football