PHOENIX – The NFL for the 2026 season will allow its officiating department to correct clear and obvious mistakes made by on-field officials that impact the game, the league announced in adopting a handful of rules changes Tuesday at the annual meeting.
The officiating change is only in the event that there is a work stoppage involving game officials represented by the NFL Referees Association.
The NFL and the referees union are at an impasse after reportedly breaking off talks earlier this week.
Other rules changes include:
Allow the kicking team to declare an onside kick at any time during the game.
Last season, teams were allowed to declare at any time but only when trailing. Now, they will be allowed to attempt an onside kick at any time and in any game situation once declaring.
* Eliminating the kicking team’s incentive to intentionally kick the ball out of bounds when kicking off from the 50-yard line.
When teams purposefully kicked the ball out of bounds last year, it gave the receiving team possession at the 25-yard line.
Now, a kickoff from the 50 that lands in the end zone and isn’t returned or goes out of the end zone will result in the receiving team getting the ball on its own 20.
* Modifying the kickoff alignment requirements for the receiving team players in the setup zone.
This is basically adjusting where the receiving team is set up during the kickoff.
* And allowing NFL 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. This can happen before the net legal snap.
In addition, there were some amendments to NFL bylaws approved. The biggest one was permitting players players on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform to begin a 21-day practice period after the club’s second game of the regular season.
Also, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ suggestion passed that clubs to have one video or phone call with no more than five prospective unrestricted free agents during the two-day negotiation period.
Contact Ed Graney at egraney@reviewjournal.com. Follow @edgraney on X.