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Some rules are meant to be broken. Others are meant to be changed. Some will remain the same.
The NFL's annual league meetings allow those discussions to occur in what can sometimes be an airing of grievances for the 32 organizations. Some years come with more fanfare than others, with the passionate debate mostly centering on the potential "Tush Push" ban this year.
Football is a kid's game, so it's only natural that some would rather take their ball and go home when they don't like the game.
It's not all controversial, however.
Rule change proposals surrounding the kickoff, overtime in the regular season and more aren't being met with as much resistance.
Here's a look at the playing rule changes that were passed and the ones that weren't at the NFL league meetings in 2025.
A proposal from the Philadelphia Eagles to adopt the playoff overtime rules in the regular season passed, with an amendment that keeps the period to 10 minutes. Both teams will have the chance to possess the ball in overtime regardless of what happens on the first possession.
The previous rule allowed overtime to end in the regular season if a team scored a touchdown on the first possession. Overtime rules came into focus following the famous "13 seconds" game between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs in the 2022 AFC divisional-round game. The Chiefs, with just 13 seconds remaining in regulation, marched down the field and managed to force overtime. They would win the coin toss and score a touchdown, ending what became an instant classic.
The league adopted a change following that season to adopt the current overtime rules. Now those rules will be used in the regular season as well.
The competition committee' change to expand the use of replay assist has been passed.
It involves the usage of replay assist for specific penalties on the field. Notably, they can only get involved when a flag is thrown on the play. The error must have "clear and obvious" video evidence to overturn the call. Here are the penalties that could be overturned on review from replay assist:
The hottest topic at the league meetings in 2025, the "Tush Push" ban has been a controversial topic since it first debuted on the field. Something that resembles a rugby scrum, the push to ban it came from the Green Bay Packers, but didn't have the support at this time.
Discussions have been tabled and the league could revisit the idea at the meetings in May. Any rule change has to be approved by 24 of the league's 32 teams.
The competition committee's proposal to move touchbacks to the 35-yard line has passed.
It is just one part of the committee's proposal but arguably the most notable. The idea is that the change will encourage more returns since teams won't want to gift their opponent great field position. Last season's introduction of the dynamic kickoff led to the ball going through the back of the end zone. Touchbacks were previously spotted at the 30-yard line.
The Detroit Lions proposed eliminating first downs for defensive holding and illegal contact penalties, but the change did not pass.
Defensive holding and illegal contact are only five-yard penalties. However, they both give the offense an automatic first down, regardless of distance. With the change failing to pass a vote, the current rule will remain in place.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL rule changes 2025: Tush Push ban tabled at league meetings
Continue reading...
The NFL's annual league meetings allow those discussions to occur in what can sometimes be an airing of grievances for the 32 organizations. Some years come with more fanfare than others, with the passionate debate mostly centering on the potential "Tush Push" ban this year.
Football is a kid's game, so it's only natural that some would rather take their ball and go home when they don't like the game.
It's not all controversial, however.
Rule change proposals surrounding the kickoff, overtime in the regular season and more aren't being met with as much resistance.
Here's a look at the playing rule changes that were passed and the ones that weren't at the NFL league meetings in 2025.
Regular season overtime
A proposal from the Philadelphia Eagles to adopt the playoff overtime rules in the regular season passed, with an amendment that keeps the period to 10 minutes. Both teams will have the chance to possess the ball in overtime regardless of what happens on the first possession.
The previous rule allowed overtime to end in the regular season if a team scored a touchdown on the first possession. Overtime rules came into focus following the famous "13 seconds" game between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs in the 2022 AFC divisional-round game. The Chiefs, with just 13 seconds remaining in regulation, marched down the field and managed to force overtime. They would win the coin toss and score a touchdown, ending what became an instant classic.
The league adopted a change following that season to adopt the current overtime rules. Now those rules will be used in the regular season as well.
Expanded replay assist
The competition committee' change to expand the use of replay assist has been passed.
It involves the usage of replay assist for specific penalties on the field. Notably, they can only get involved when a flag is thrown on the play. The error must have "clear and obvious" video evidence to overturn the call. Here are the penalties that could be overturned on review from replay assist:
- Defenseless player: If there is no contact to the head or neck area
- Facemask: No contact to the facemask or helmet opening
- Horse collar: No hand on collar or nameplate
- Tripping: No leg/foot contact to opponent
- Roughing/running into the kicker: If fouling player tips the kicked ball
Tush Push ban vote delayed
The hottest topic at the league meetings in 2025, the "Tush Push" ban has been a controversial topic since it first debuted on the field. Something that resembles a rugby scrum, the push to ban it came from the Green Bay Packers, but didn't have the support at this time.
Discussions have been tabled and the league could revisit the idea at the meetings in May. Any rule change has to be approved by 24 of the league's 32 teams.
New kickoff rules move touchbacks to 35-yard line
The competition committee's proposal to move touchbacks to the 35-yard line has passed.
It is just one part of the committee's proposal but arguably the most notable. The idea is that the change will encourage more returns since teams won't want to gift their opponent great field position. Last season's introduction of the dynamic kickoff led to the ball going through the back of the end zone. Touchbacks were previously spotted at the 30-yard line.
Eliminate automatic first down for defensive penalties
The Detroit Lions proposed eliminating first downs for defensive holding and illegal contact penalties, but the change did not pass.
Defensive holding and illegal contact are only five-yard penalties. However, they both give the offense an automatic first down, regardless of distance. With the change failing to pass a vote, the current rule will remain in place.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL rule changes 2025: Tush Push ban tabled at league meetings
Continue reading...
