With NFL owners meeting at the annual league meetings, rule proposals are being voted upon for the upcoming season.
Here's a look at some changes coming in 2025:
Overtime Rules Allow Both Teams to Possess the Ball
Overtime will look different in the NFL next season.
NFL owners passed a rule that will allow both teams to possess the ball in overtime, matching the rules in place for the postseason.
The original proposal was for a 15-minute period, but that was bumped down to 10 minutes for regular season games.
Touchbacks Move to 35-Yard Line
Return rates improved after the NFL instituted the new dynamic kickoff last season, but there were still touchbacks on 64.3% of kickoffs.
Now the league is moving the touchback to the 35-yard line, up from the 30-yard line in 2024, in hopes to add more action to the kickoffs. Injury rates improved with the dynamic kickoff, and the NFL aims to have it become more of an exciting play.
Return teams can also use a different 6-3-2 formation after being only allowed to do a 7-2-2 last season, which should also encourage more returns.
The proposal to allow teams to attempt an onside kick at any point (teams can only attempt them in the fourth quarter while trailing right now) was not voted upon. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, talks surrounding the onside kick will pick up at the May meetings.
'Tush Push' Conversations Tabled for Now
One of the biggest storylines at the league meetings is the "tush push" sneak and whether it should be allowed. The Green Bay Packers proposed a rule change that would ban the play.
However, it will take more time as the vote has been tabled, according to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Some NFL owners and coaches have expressed concern about injuries on the play. Some team personnel also feel it isn't a "football play," but Head Coach John Harbaugh disagrees.
"I feel like it's a football play," Harbaugh said on Monday. "If it's determined that it's an injury-risk play – which I think the doctors are concerned about right now – then that's something that we have to address. If we don't think it's an injury-risk play, then it's just a play in football. So, I'm looking forward to the discussion. We really haven't decided our position on that yet. I kind of want to hear some more of the conversation."
The Ravens have had success with the "tush push" by running the play with tight end Mark Andrews.
NFL to Use Camera-Based Technology to Measure First Downs
The NFL is making a major shift in measuring first downs as the league will now use camera-based technology in 2025 instead of chains. The chain crew will still be on the sidelines in a secondary capacity.
Changes Coming to the Legal Tampering Period
The legal tempering period in the NFL is undergoing a significant change as teams are now allowed to have Zoom calls and set up visits ahead of the league year.
The 2025 tampering period began 52 hours before the league year, and this new rule will allow teams to have direct communication with free agents.
According to Pelissero, this modification is on a one-year trial.
Replay Assist System Expands
Owners approved an expansion of the league's replay assist system.
It was proposed that the expansion covers fouls for hits on a defenseless player, grabbing the facemask, horse-collar tackles, tripping, and running into or roughing the kicker. The review process cannot be used to throw a flag, only to pick up a flag that had already been thrown.
Ravens' 'K-Ball' Proposal Passes
The Ravens' joint proposal with six other clubs to allow teams to prepare the kicking footballs ("K-balls") ahead of gameday has passed.
Teams were already allowed to prepare the regular footballs prior to gameday.
Re-Seeding Postseason Talks Tabled
The Lions' proposal of playoff seeding being based only on record and not division winners has been tabled, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The current seeding gives all four division winners in each conference a home playoff game while every wild-card team starts the postseason on the road.
This past season, the 14-3 Minnesota Vikings had to visit the 10-7 Los Angeles Rams in the opening round.
Lions' Proposal Does Not Pass
The proposal to eliminate an automatic first down for defensive holding and illegal contact did not pass.
The Detroit Lions, who led the NFL in defensive holding penalties, proposed the new rule.
