5 rule changes up for vote

[tsylvester]

At their meetings next week

1) announce onside kick at any time during the game

2) let teams kickoff from the 50 to try and entice them to not kick the ball out of bounds

3) modify the formation of the receiving team in the kicking zone

4)Allow league personnel to consult with on-field officials when considering disqualifications for both flagrant football acts and non-football acts without being called onto the field.

5) For 2026 only, allow the NFL Officiating Department to correct clear and obvious misses by on-field officials that impact the game in the event of a work stoppage involving officials represented by the NFL Referees Association.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-2026-rule-change-proposals-competition-committee/

[oldno82]

#1 is OK with me as are #4 and #5. I don't understand #2 or #3 and don't understand why #5 wouldn't be in effect all the time, work stoppage or not.

[tsylvester]

Yes, it would be nice to have the calls on the field reviewed every flag, instant. But that is just posturing by the league as they try to negotiate a new deal with the officials, whose contract runs out in May.

The kicking rules are simple but stupid, teams found a loop whole in the rules that by kicking the ball out of bounds, inside the kicking zone, the ball goes to the 20 or 25, not the 35. By allowing teams to kickoff from the 50, I guess they figure teams will squib kick to the kicking zone and have a better chance at a real short return. I aint buying it.

The formations, meh, muchadoaboutnothing