NFL announces rule, bylaw and resolution changes for 2025
This memo was distributed by the league after voting by the 32 teams at today's meeting:
NFL clubs adopted the following rules change proposals, bylaws and resolutions today at the NFL Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Florida.
2025 Approved Playing Rules Summary
1-A. By Competition Committee; amends Rule 6, to make permanent the new form of free kick play implemented in 2024 designed to 1) resemble a typical scrimmage play by aligning players on both teams closer together and restricting movement to reduce space and speed and 2) promote more returns, subject to the following changes: (a) modifies the alignment requirements for receiving team players in the setup zone; (b) changes the dead ball spot after a touchback to the 35-yard line if the ball lands in the end zone and is downed in the end zone by the receiving team or goes out of bounds behind the receiving team's goal line.
2-A. By Competition Committee; aligns the postseason and regular season overtime rules by granting both teams an opportunity to possess the ball regardless of the outcome of the first possession, subject to a 10-minute overtime period in the regular season.
3. By Competition Committee; amends Rule 15, to expand Instant Replay's ability to advise the on-field officials on specific, objective aspects of a play and/or to address game administration issues when clear and obvious video evidence is present.
2025 Approved Bylaws Summary
1. By Competition Committee; amends Article XVII, Section 17.16 of the Constitution and Bylaws, to permit clubs to designate two players for return at the roster reduction to 53 players.
2. By Competition Committee; amends Article XVII, Section 17.16 of the Constitution and Bylaws, to permit clubs participating in the postseason to receive two additional DFRs increasing the maximum from 8 to 10.
3. By Competition Committee; amends Article XVIII, Section 18.5 of the Constitution and Bylaws, to insert Point Differential as the third tiebreaker for awarding contracts.
2025 Approved Resolutions Summary
G-1A. By Pittsburgh; for one-year only, permits clubs to have one video or phone call with no more than five prospective Unrestricted Free Agent during the Two-Day Negotiation Period. Permits clubs to make travel arrangements with such players upon agreeing to terms.
G-2. By Baltimore, Cleveland, Houston, Las Vegas, Minnesota, Philadelphia, and Washington; to permit clubs to prepare kicking footballs ('K-Balls') before game day, similar to the process permitted for game footballs.
G-3. By Washington; to permit clubs that may qualify for the postseason to obtain scouting credentials for two consecutive games (Weeks 17 and 18) played by a potential postseason opponent. Also requires clubs hosting Wild Card games to provide scouting credentials to all teams within the same conference who are participating in the postseason.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Lesser-mentioned Ravens star lands on CBS Sports list of 2025 breakout stars
Lesser-mentioned Ravens star lands on CBS Sports list of 2025 breakout stars Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell earns national spotlight in new NFL prediction from CBS Sports It's too early to make predictions. It's only June, but even though the mind says 'don't get excited', the heart, more often than not, refuses to listen. This Baltimore Ravens team looks good on paper, and even though games aren't played on looseleaf, every glance at the roster produces adrenaline. This team sent 11 of its players to the Pro Bowl last season. All of them are back. DeAndre Hopkins was added during free agency. Malaki Starks and Mike Green were drafted. The new faces have an opportunity to add more punch to an already formidable roster. Then again, so do some of the guys who have already been here. May we present Keaton Mitchell for your consideration? CBS Sports names Keaton Mitchell as a player to watch Mention the Ravens and why they are a Super Bowl contender, and several names may come up before a backup running back. Keaton Mitchell was added to Baltimore's roster as an undrafted rookie free agent. Pro Football Focus named him as one of the NFL's best UDFA prospects during that offseason. CBS Sports recently named him as an under-the-radar player to watch in their dig on one player from each team who could make a surprising impact. Tyler Sullivan wrote this one up and did a great job. Here's some of his reasoning for mentioning Mitchell as the Ravens representative. "For a six-week stretch during the 2023 season, Mitchell was a lightning rod. The back averaged 8.4 yards per rush and 10.5 yards per reception. However, that run ended when he suffered a torn ACL that also put a dent in his 2024 campaign. Now, Mitchell is back healthy and noted recently that he feels 'like I'm back better than when I first got to Baltimore'. Of course, Derrick Henry will carry the bulk of the work out of the Ravens' backfield, but Mitchell could prove to be a change-of-pace option with home run ability for what is already one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL." Henry and Mitchell could provide some 'thunder and lightning'. The latter is no stranger to adversity or this Ravens offense. An undrafted rookie free agent selected after the 2023 NFL Draft, Pro Football Focus named him as one of the best UDFAs taken that offseason, but two days after making the 53-man roster, he found his way to the injured reserve. He returned in Week 6 and appeared in eight games with two starts before seeing his season end with a torn ACL. He began last season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list but was activated for Week 10. For his career, he has notched 426 yards and two TDs on 62 carries. Keep an eye on him as the Ravens begin another run, and expect some big moments because even though the opportunities will be limited, he'll be able to deliver a few.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Former USC guard Desmond Claude commits to Washington
Former USC guard Desmond Claude commits to Washington Back in April, USC men's basketball star guard Desmond Claude made headlines when he surprisingly entered the transfer portal. On Sunday, Claude found a new home: He is headed to the Pacific Northwest to join Big Ten foe Washington. Claude is not the first Trojan transfer to depart for the Huskies this offseason. In May, Washington hired away USC assistant coach Quincy Pondexter. Shortly following that move, another high-profile Trojan transfer, Wesley Yates III, also announced his commitment to the Huskies. Here is what Huskies Wire had to say about the addition of Claude: 'As the Huskies scoured the country for a seasoned, high-impact wing to round out the rotation, the 6-foot-6 senior, who was named an All-Big Ten honorable mention for the 2024-25 season, is the perfect fit. Although he shot just 30.7 percent from long range last season, which has been one of Sprinkle's biggest points of emphasis throughout the offseason, Claude led the Trojans with an average of 15.8 points and 4.2 assists per game, adding 3.5 rebounds per contest while bringing several much-needed aspects to the roster.' With Claude and Yates both departing Southern California for Seattle, next season's matchups between USC and Washington should certainly be interesting. The Trojans and Huskies are slated to face off twice next season—once at Galen Center, and once in the Pacific Northwest.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Ravens fans aren't talking about Eric DeCosta's fourth-round steal enough
Ravens fans aren't talking about Eric DeCosta's fourth-round steal enough Ravens fourth-rounder Teddye Buchanan might be the best acquisition that no one mentions. The NFL Draft is called an 'inexact science', and, in some ways, it is. Certain aspects of it make sense, though. When the Baltimore Ravens take guys in Round 1 and Round 2, those prospects are often expected to contribute immediately. Those late-round draftees, guys taken in Round 6 and Round 7. Those guys can sometimes be the equivalent of a crap shoot. They're the guys organizations typically gamble on. If they work out, think of it like the franchise hit the lottery. It's the same case for undrafted rookies. Mid-rounders are where the meat of the roster is found. General managers must choose wisely, but if they're right, they can really find some hidden gems. One such gem is a 2024 First-team All-ACC nod. Eric DeCosta and his staff found him in one of the most unlikely places. The Ravens' flock isn't discussing rookie Teddye Buchanan as often as they should be Typically, when the college football season begins and we build and rebuild our draft boards, the UC Davis Aggies aren't who we're looking for to find elite talent. We often find better players at California doing work for the Golden Bears. Still, it's less usual that we see them there than it would be if we raided Georgia or Alabama. Now and then, you find a diamond in the rough, however. Teddye Buchanan is precisely that. He stands at six feet two. He tips the scales at 233 pounds. He's athletic and provides some upside. Part of the reason for that is his ability to cover and add early value on special teams. Buchanan is making a name for himself at OTAs. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr likes him. Baltimore's defensive coordinator spoke with the media recently. He's been complimentary about his rookie. Time may be running out for Trenton Simpson. If he doesn't shine, Buchanan could sneak in and land a bigger role on Orr's defense. 'Teddye plays like a Raven... He flies around, he seeks contact, he can play in space, and he's a smart player…I'm excited about Teddye.' Stay tuned. This is someone whose name you should circle now. Keep an eye on him at minicamp, training camp, and during Baltimore's three preseason games.
