On Thursday, the NFL announced 10 rule proposals that will be up for discussion at the Annual League Meeting this weekend. From March 25 to March 28, owners from all 32 NFL clubs across the U.S. will meet to discuss the upcoming 2018 season.
And as part of the annual weekend event, the owners will review recommendations from the NFL's competition committee — which includes a series of 10 potential playing rule proposals. In order to approve any revisions for the 2018 season, a 75 percent majority is required of the owners.
Here's a breakdown of the 10 playing rule proposals that will be reviewed:
- By Competition Committee; Makes permanent the playing rule that changes the spot of the next snap after a touchback resulting from a free kick to the 25-yard line.
- By Competition Committee; Changes standard for a catch.
- By Competition Committee; Makes the penalties for Illegal Batting & Kicking the same.
- By Los Angeles Chargers; Amends Rule 15, Section 2, Article 5 to add fouls for roughing the passer and fouls against players in a defenseless posture as reviewable plays in the instant replay system.
- By Washington; Amends Rule 15, Section 2, Article 5 to add review of personal fouls as reviewable plays in the instant replay system.
- By New York Jets; Amends Rule 8, Section 5, Articles 1-4 to change the enforcement for defensive pass interference.
- By Competition Committee; Authorizes the designated member of the Officiating department to instruct on-
field game officials to disqualify a player for a flagrant non- football act when a foul for that act is called on the field.
- By Competition Committee; Conforms the amount of time in which a team must challenge a play if there is a television commercial break following the play in question.
- By Competition Committee; Eliminates the requirement that a team who scores a winning touchdown at the end of regulation of a game to kick the extra point or go for two-point conversion.
- By Competition Committee; If there is a turnover, a team may win an overtime game, even though it scores on its second possession.
Some of the rule changes garnering the most interest are those regarding the NFL's hotly debated catch rule, those giving referees the ability to eject a player after an official review, and a proposal allowing franchises to hire assistant coaches from playoff teams during the postseason.
Of the ten potential changes, the three above will have the most major implications for the 2018 season — should they be voted upon by the league owners.
But these changes are not the only topics to be discussed at the meeting. Owners will also vote on 12 bylaws and four resolutions.
For a full list of the NFL's 2018 playing rule proposals, click here.
