NFL To Implement Long-Awaited Rule Changes In 2025 Season
The NFL shoved a bunch of old men into a room and made them vote on potential rule changes at the annual owners meetings Tuesday.
It led to some pretty monumental changes.
The Philadelphia Eagles’ proposal to align the regular season and postseason overtime rules was mostly approved, though the regular season periods will remain at 10 minutes, while the postseason periods will remain at 15. What exactly is changing? The NFL will now allow both teams to possess the football, even if the team that first gains possession scores.
The NFL Competition Committee’s proposal to allow replay assist to consult on-field officials to overrule objective calls such as facemask penalties, whether there was forcible contact to the head or neck area, horse-collar tackles or tripping penalties was approved. We could also see replay overturn a roughing the kicker or running into the kicker penalty if video replay showed the defender made contact with the ball, though flags will not be able to be thrown if there is clear evidence a call was missed.
We will also see another change to the kickoff rule, as touchbacks will be moved from the 30 to the 35 — hopefully encouraging more returns.
The NFL elected to table discussions regarding the ban of the “Tush Push” play, which the Green Bay Packers proposed, until May. The Detroit Lions’ proposal to take away automatic first downs for defensive holding and illegal contact penalties failed.
What do you think, folks? Do you like the new rules?