Recapping the approved NFL rule changes coming for 2025

USA Today

01-04-2025

Recapping the approved NFL rule changes coming for 2025 The NFL adopted several rules proposals, including changes to overtime and replay assist, but show down one of the Lions' proposals and tabled another
The Lions' push to eliminate automatic first downs on defensive holding and illegal contact failed to motion during Tuesday's vote at the Annual League Meeting. Two other proposals from Detroit were tabled until May.
Those were among a host of proposals voted on by the owners Tuesday. Here's a recap.
Touchbacks on kickoffs now at the 35
Touchbacks on kickoffs will now bring the ball out to the 35-yard line. Last season, touchbacks came out to the 30. The original proposal last season was going to bring the ball to the 35, but was amended to the 30. The hope for the league is this will create more returns on kickoffs, as touchbacks to the 35 will look to de-incentivize teams from kicking deep.
Both teams get possess the football in overtime in the regular season
Overtime in the regular season will now have the same rules as in the postseason, with the exception of the amount of time in the period. Regular-season overtime will remain 10 minutes, but both teams will have the opportunity to possess the football, just like in the postseason. Overtime in the playoffs will remain 15 minutes, which was the original proposal for this year for the regular season but was amended.
Replay assist expanded
Replay assist will be expanded to help officials on penalties called on the field. It will not, however, be meant to call penalties that were not initially called on the field. This is just to help pick up flags when needed.
IR designation at roster cutdown
Article XVII, Section 17.16 of the Constitution and Bylaws was amended to allow teams to designate two players for return at the roster reduction to 53 players.
Additional designated injured reserve returns
Teams that make the postseason will receive two additional "Designated for Returns", increasing their maximum from eight players to 10.
Point differential as tiebreaker for contracts
Point Differential will now be the third tiebreaker for awarding contracts.
Video and phone calls during legal tampering
As a one-year experiment, teams can have one video or phone call with up to five free unrestricted free agents during the two-day legal tampering period before free agency officially begins. Teams can make travel arrangements with such players upon agreeing to terms.
Kicking balls can now be prepared
Teams can now prepare kicking football ("K-Balls") before game day, similar to the process allowed for game balls.
Scouting credentials for potential playoff opponents
Teams that may qualify for the postseason can obtain scouting credentials for games in Weeks 17 and 18 played by potential postseason opponents. Teams hosting Wild Card games now also have to provide scouting credentials to all teams within the same conference who are participating in the postseason.
Other tabled proposals
Among the proposals that were tabled until May include the big one in many eyes — the vote to eliminate the Tush Push. Also on the table is Detroit's proposal to seed postseason teams based on record, but could be amended to where the current format would be used unless a division winner finishes below .500, in which case they would not get a home playoff game.
The Lions also had a proposal tabled that would have allowed teams to place players on injured reserve before the roster cutdown to 53 players to not count against the 90-man roster. Between the active roster, injured reserve and other lists, teams currently cannot hold more than 90 players on their roster during the season.
Rich McKay, Co-Chairman of the Competition Committee and CEO of the Atlanta Falcons, said one potential amendment that could be discussed is increasing the limit to 95 players after the trade deadline.