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

[oldno82]

5 hours ago, tsylvester said:

 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.

 

Yeah. Me neither.

[tsylvester]

Approved rules

2026 Approved Playing Rules Summary

By Competition Committee; to permit the kicking team to declare an onside kick at any time during the game.
By Competition Committee; to eliminate the kicking team's incentive to intentionally kick the ball out of bounds when kicking off from the 50-yard line.

By Competition Committee; to modify the kickoff alignment requirements for the receiving team players in the setup zone.
4-A. By Competition Committee; to allow League personnel to consult with on-field officials when considering disqualifications for both flagrant football acts and non-football acts without being called on the field.

By Competition Committee; for one year only, to allow the NFL Officiating department to correct clear and obvious mistakes made by on-field officials that impact the game, in the event that there is a work stoppage involving the game officials represented by the NFL Referees Association.
2026 Approved Bylaws Summary

By Competition Committee; amends Article XVII, Section 17.1 of the Constitution and Bylaws to permit the League office to adjust the procedures and related dates and deadlines for the final roster reduction to accommodate an international game scheduled in the first week of the regular season.
By Competition Committee; amends Article XVII, Section 18.1 (B) of the Constitution and Bylaws to establish the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend as business days to provide clubs with personnel notices during the first weekend after the roster reduction.
By Competition Committee; to permit players on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform to begin a 21-day practice period after the club's second game of the regular season.

By Pittsburgh; to make permanent the change implemented during the 2025 season that permits clubs to have one video or phone call with no more than five prospective Unrestricted Free Agent during the Two-Day Negotiation Period, and to permit clubs to make travel arrangements with such players upon agreeing to terms.

https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-announces-new-playing-rules-bylaws-resolutions-for-2026

[oldno82]

Well, pretty much as expected. I still don't like the kickoff from 50 yard line rule.