NFL pushes through 4 rule changes; AP weighs in

Reviewing the rule changes for 2025 — and sharing the editors’ takes on the decisions.

The NFL has added or modified four rules — as approved by the owners from their annual spring meeting in Palm Beach, Florida. Changing a rule requires the approval of 75% of the owners, which equates to 24 of the 32.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, here are the approved rule changes for the 2025 NFL season:

Approved rules

Pelissero: Expanded reply assist has been approved, per source.

John Dixon: I’m in favor of any method by which officials’ decisions can be improved. Still, I support human officials making the calls they see. So I think the league did the right thing by limiting this expansion to reviewing penalties that were called, rather than allowing new penalties to be determined by after-the-fact video review. Humans are playing the game, so humans should be the first layer of officiating. But in a world where fans are exposed to slow-motion replay of every call, replay review must exist.

Pete Sweeney: I think replay assist has been a terrific addition, and I think the owners’ decision to keep replay assist limited to objective official decisions is wise. When talking about replay, I think you always have to weigh getting it right with how much time is added to the viewing experience by doing so, and so far, replay assist has been swift — and even with this change, I would imagine that will continue.

Pelissero: As expected, NFL owners passed the rule making playoff overtime rules apply to regular season, too. Both teams get to possess the ball. But the rule was amended to make OT 10 minutes, not 15.

John Dixon: I think this is a bridge too far. Nobody likes ties, so I’m fine with the fastest way to avoid most of them in the regular season — and a different way to avoid them altogether in the postseason. I understand the argument: allowing games to end with one of the teams being unable to possess the ball in overtime does seem unfair on its face. But both teams were given a full 60 minutes to win. During the regular season, the best approach is to get it settled — and get ready for the next game.

Pete Sweeney: Both teams touching the football in overtime should have existed long ago. However, the second part of Pelissero’s note still baffles me. The league is seemingly OK with random stretches in the schedule (such as the Chiefs playing three games in 11 days) regarding player rest and safety, but a line is drawn at five extra minutes in overtime? In my opinion, shut off the game clock entirely, as we see in college. Nothing is worse than spending three-plus hours to watch a game end in a tie.

Pelissero: NFL owners approved the modified kickoff rule, minus a couple components, per source. No onside kick changes at the moment. That could be considered later. The key upshot here: Touchbacks will now come out to the 35 instead of the 30, which in theory will discourage teams from kicking so many balls out of the end zone and lead to more returns. With injury rates down on the dynamic kickoff, this was the next step.

John Dixon: All along, Kansas City special teams coordinator Dave Toub has said that 2024’s modified kickoff rules would have worked exactly as anticipated if touchbacks came out to the 35-yard line instead of the 30. In fact, that’s exactly how it was done in the original proposals for modified kickoffs; it’s never been clear why it was later changed to the 30-yard line. It’s now expected that 60-70% of them will be returned — so welcome back, kickoffs! We missed you!

Pete Sweeney: This had to be done to continue the progress of the kickoff remaining in the game in a safe and positive way. The “punishment” of the opposing team beginning at the 30-yard line was clearly not enough motivation to keep it playable. This should continue to push kick-return numbers up, something we know Kansas City’s special teams coordinator appreciates.

Pelissero: The Steelers’ proposal regarding contact with free agents during the negotiating window passed with some modification on a one-year trial basis. Full language to come.

John Dixon: Pete and I are in complete agreement on this one. I’ll let him make the case.

Pete Sweeney: The “legal tampering period” still remains one of the silliest parts of the NFL offseason, so I am for anything that makes it less ridiculous in any capacity. In my view, the NFL should put a hard ban on all contact with free agents until the Sunday before the NFL Scouting Combine. Once that time hits, not only can free agents have conversations with teams, but they can also sign, and the agreements can become official with team acknowledgement. It is basically happening that way anyway.

Tabled proposals

• The Green Bay Packers’ proposal to ban the “tush push” that the Philadelphia Eagles have run so effectively was reported to have support from only about half of the owners. It may be considered again at the owners’ next meeting — perhaps with modified language.
• The Detroit Lions’ proposal for playoff seeding to be determined entirely by won-loss records — thereby eliminating the current plan, where division winners are guaranteed at least one home game — has also been set aside for later consideration.