The NFL's Annual League Meeting is the next big event on the offseason calendar, bringing together team owners, executives, head coaches, front office personnel, and the media together in Palm Beach, Florida ahead of the draft.
The four-day session includes a full agenda, but the most critical item is the NFL owners' vote on proposed playing rule changes and bylaws. Changes to playing rules and bylaws are submitted by clubs and the NFL Competition Committee, and all proposals must be approved by 75 percent (24) of team owners to be adopted.
Below is a summary of a number of this year's proposals that will be voted on for the 2025 season:
Club Playing Rules Proposals
The Detroit Lions submitted a proposal that aims to eliminate an automatic first down as a penalty imposed for defensive holding and illegal contact. (Rule 8, Section 4)
The Green Bay Packers proposed change would end the use of a play that is commonly referred as the "tush push." The rule change would prohibit an offensive player from pushing a teammate who was lined up directly behind the snapper and receives the snap, immediately at the snap. (Rule 12, Section 1)
The Philadelphia Eagles proposal would align the postseason and regular season overtime rules by giving both teams an opportunity to possess the ball regardless of the outcome of the first possession. The regular season overtime period would increase from a 10-minute period to a 15-minute period in the regular season. (Rule 16, Section 1)
The NFL Competition Committee proposed expanding instant replay's ability to advise the on-field officials on specific, objective aspects of a play and/or to address game administration issues when clear and obvious video evidence is present.
Instant replay can only be applied to plays in which a flag was thrown.
A flag could be picked up in situations of a defenseless player, facemask penalty, horse-caller tackle, tripping, or rough/running into the kicker.
The NFL Competition Committee is proposing to make the free kick play permanent with modifications following its one-season trial in 2024. The changes include:
Changing the dead ball spot to the 35-yard line on a touchback.
Allowing a team to declare an onside kick at any time if they are trailing.