The National Football League is holding its annual owners’ meetings to discuss a variety of matters, from expanding to an 18-game season in the future to voting on NFL rule changes for the 2025 season. While several matters are still being decided on, two NFL rule changes have been approved for 2025.
NFL teams and the league’s competition committee are allowed to propose rule changes every offseason with 24 clubs (75 percent) needing to approve it for the rule to be adopted. While a majority of proposals are rejected, two were approved on Tuesday.
As reported by Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the owners approved NFL rule changes for both overtime and instant replay. The Detroit Lions‘ proposal to eliminate automatic first downs on defensive holding and illegal contact penalties was rejected.
What you need to know about the new NFL rule changes
Teams made a variety of NFL rule proposal changes this offseason, as detailed by the league’s football operations website. Expanding instant replay and adjusting regular-season overtime were the first two be approved.
The Philadelphia Eagles proposed the rule change regarding overtime, asking the league to approve their recommendation for the postseason overtime format to also be used in the regular season with 15-minute quarters where both teams get to possess the ball at least once.
NFL owners approved the playoff OT rules, with each team possessing the football at least once, to be part of regular-season overtime periods moving forward. However, the league opted for 10-minute overtime quarters instead of the 15 that the Eagles proposed.
The NFL Competition Committee proposed an expansion of instant replay. Under the amendment put up for vote, instant replay would be allowed to be used to assist on-field officials with. ‘specific, objective aspects’ of a play or to address ‘game administration issues’ when there is irrefutable video evidence.
Following the measure being approved by NFL owners, the following plags could be reviewed and potentially picked up beginning next season.
- Hitting a defenseless player: If video evidence shows there was no contact to the head or neck area
- Horse Collar tackler: Can be overturned if replay shows no hand grabbed the collar or nameplate
- Roughing/running into the kicker: This can be overturned if the fouling player tipped the football
- Tripping: It can be overturned if there was no obvious leg or foot contact to the opposing player
- Facemask: It can be overturned if the video shows no contact to the facemask or helmet opening
Importantly, instant replay can only be used to reverse a penalty that has already been called and it can’t be used by officials to throw a flag for a missed penalty. There must also be ‘clear and obvious video evidence’ to reverse a penalty call.
