The 2025 NFL season might convey the tip of the “tush push,” the implementation of the playoff extra time format into regular-season video games and a shakeup to the postseason bracket.
The eight rule change proposals that can be voted on on the annual league assembly on the finish of the month had been introduced on Wednesday. Not surprisingly, a proposal to ban the tush push headlined the record of potential rule modifications. The Green Bay Packers formally proposed eliminating the play that the Philadelphia Eagles have had loads of success with over the previous three years.
Nevertheless, there are a handful of different rule change proposals that might dramatically impression the NFL in the event that they’re permitted on the league assembly in Palm Seaside, Florida. All eight rule change proposals will should be permitted by not less than 24 of the 32 house owners.
Let’s take a look at each of the eight proposed rule changes.
Banning the “tush push”
Of their proposal to do away with the tush push, the Packers need language that prohibits an “offensive participant from pushing a teammate who was lined up instantly behind the snapper and receives the snap, instantly on the snap.”
If permitted, the penalty for utilizing the tush push can be a lack of 10 yards, which is the penalty for different infractions through which an offensive participant illegally assists the ball service.
The Packers referenced “participant security” and “tempo of play” of their reasoning to do away with the rule.
Amending unlawful defensive contact and holding penalties
The Detroit Lions wish to get rid of offenses from getting an automated first down if the protection commits an unlawful contact or holding penalty. They are not proposing any modifications to how these penalties are known as, although.
“Aggressive fairness. Present penalty enforcement is just too punitive for the protection,” the Lions wrote of their reasoning for the proposed rule change.
Detroit was known as for 11 defensive holdings in 2024, which was roughly double the quantity of the league common, according to NFLPenalties.com.
Bringing postseason extra time guidelines to the common season
The Eagles need playoff extra time guidelines for use when an additional interval of play is required for regular-season video games. At present, the regular-season extra time interval is barely 10 minutes lengthy and the crew that will get the ball first can win the sport if it scores a landing. Within the postseason, each groups get possession of the ball not less than as soon as, except there is a defensive rating to win the sport. If each groups rating a landing on their opening possession of the 15-minute extra time interval, the crew that scores subsequent wins the sport.
The Eagles used “aggressive equality” as the explanation for the rule change. Philadelphia did not play in any extra time video games this previous season.
Permitting wild card groups to be seeded increased than division winners
The Lions proposed a rule change through which playoff seeding can be decided by the data of the individuals. At present, the 4 division winners get the highest 4 seeds in every convention whereas the ultimate wild-card groups make up the ultimate three seeds, that are decided by report. 4 division winners would nonetheless make the playoffs in every convention on this proposal.
“Aggressive fairness. Gives pleasure and competitors in late-season video games. Rewards the best-performing groups from the common season,” the Lions wrote of their reasoning for the rule change.
Within the 2024 season, the Minnesota Vikings misplaced the NFC North to the Lions in Week 18 and acquired the fifth seed within the NFC playoffs regardless of going 14-3. Had this rule been put in place for the 2024 season, the Vikings would’ve been the No. 2 seed within the NFC. Moreover, the Washington Commanders, who defeated the Lions within the divisional spherical, would’ve had the No. 4 seed as an alternative of the No. 6 seed.
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Stopping IR gamers to rely towards the roster restrict
Of their different proposal to alter a membership bylaw, the Lions are searching for to do away with a rule through which gamers on injured reserve rely towards the utmost 90-player restrict for every crew except they’re designated to return. Detroit had as many as 21 gamers on injured reserve late final season. The 90-player roster restrict for every crew consists of observe squad gamers.
The Lions used “roster flexibility” as their reasoning for the proposal.
Permitting groups to have contact with free brokers throughout authorized tampering window
The Pittsburgh Steelers proposed a rule change through which groups might instantly contact free brokers within the two-day authorized tampering interval earlier than the beginning of the brand new league 12 months. Pittsburgh proposed that every crew have one video or telephone name with a free agent throughout that point and would enable groups to schedule touring preparations free of charge brokers throughout that point if they arrive to phrases on a deal.
At present, groups can talk about offers solely with brokers throughout the authorized tampering window. It is unclear how a lot this rule would change issues as many offers are agreed to throughout the two-day authorized tampering window, however the Steelers imagine this rule change can be “competitively fairer.”
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Further time to organize Ok-Balls
The Eagles, Commanders, Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans need Ok-Balls — these used particularly for kickoffs, further factors and area targets — to be allowed to be ready a day earlier than video games, just like how sport balls are ready now. At present, Ok-Balls are solely ready on sport days.
“Recreation Operations can be modified to allow golf equipment to organize Ok-Balls utilizing the identical course of presently utilized for quarterback balls. Sixty Ok-Balls can be shipped to every membership previous to the beginning of coaching camp and every membership can put together these balls in accordance with the NFL guidelines for Ok-Ball preparation,” the proposed rule change reads. “Every membership will ship their three (3) prepped Ok-Balls to the officiating crew together with their twenty-four (24) quarterback balls at two hours and fifteen minutes previous to kickoff for all video games
These groups reasoned that the rule change would “get rid of a burdensome and pointless course of on sport day.”
Extra alternatives to scout potential playoff opponents
The Commanders need groups already certified for the playoffs to have the ability to ship scouts to video games that contain potential postseason opponents over the ultimate two weeks of the common season. At present, groups that might host a sport within the wild-card spherical are allowed to show down scout credential requests from different groups over the ultimate two weeks of the common season.
In its reasoning, Washington defined that it desires to “present golf equipment with better flexibility to scout potential postseason opponents.”
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