NFL Considers Major Rule Changes: Onside Kick Freedom, Overtime Alignment, and Expanded Instant Replay

March 26, 2025
NFL Considers Major Rule Changes: Onside Kick Freedom, Overtime Alignment, and Expanded Instant Replay
  • The NFL Competition Committee has put forth several rule changes for the upcoming season that will be reviewed by team owners.

  • During the annual league meetings scheduled from March 30 to April 2, 2025, owners will vote on these proposals, requiring a 75 percent approval for any rule change to pass.

  • Among the proposals, three team-specific suggestions will also be voted on, including the Green Bay Packers' proposal to ban the Tush Push, the Detroit Lions' proposal to eliminate automatic first downs for defensive holding and illegal contact, and the Philadelphia Eagles' proposal to align overtime rules between the regular season and playoffs.

  • A notable proposal suggests that onside kicks can be attempted at any time during a game, provided the kicking team is trailing, which is part of a broader initiative to revise kickoff rules.

  • This initiative also includes moving the starting field position for touchbacks from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line to encourage more return plays.

  • Another key proposal aims to expand instant replay to cover objective aspects of plays and game administration issues when clear video evidence is available.

  • However, the league has been cautious about incorporating subjective calls into the replay system, having previously removed pass interference from review after a failed experiment in 2019.

  • Troy Vincent, the NFL executive vice president of football operations, has indicated that the committee is considering adding certain penalties, such as facemask violations, to the list of reviewable plays.

Summary based on 1 source


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