NFL owners approve several rule proposals for 2025 season

A few rule changes will come into effect for the 2025 NFL season, after a vote by NFL owners at the Annual League Meeting in Palm Beach, Florida.

Of the approved rules that will affect game play, the overtime format in the regular season has now changed. It will reflect playoff scenarios, with each team having at least one possession with the ball in the 10-minute period.

The dynamic kickoff that was introduced last season will continue in 2025, with the exception that the ball spot on touchbacks will move from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line for kicks sent into the end zone.

The Raiders, along with six other teams, proposed a rule to permit clubs to prepare kicking footballs in the same fashion they are permitted for game footballs. That resolution was approved.

Another notable rule change revolves around instant replay and expanding camera use to assist in making adjustments to spotting the ball in crucial situations. The additional camera angles and footage will play a factor in making calls on hits on a defenseless player, grabbing the facemask, performing a horse-collar tackle, tripping, and running into or roughing the kicker.

Additionally, the league announced that while the "chain-gang" will still be involved in the process of first downs, they'll now serve as a secondary source. Camera-based technology of six 8K cameras will serve as "the primary method for measuring the line to gain."

Banning the "Tush Push" quarterback sneak play, popularized by the Philadelphia Eagles, was a proposal that gained some steam. However, it's been reportedly that a decision likely won't be made for the time being, instead targeting the next owner's meeting to vote on it.

Take a look below at all of the official amendments and bylaws which were passed:

2025 Approved Playing Rules Summary

1-A. By Competition Committee; amends Rule 6, to make permanent the new form of free kick play implemented in 2024 designed to 1) resemble a typical scrimmage play by aligning players on both teams closer together and restricting movement to reduce space and speed and 2) promote more returns, subject to the following changes: (a) modifies the alignment requirements for receiving team players in the setup zone; (b) changes the dead ball spot after a touchback to the 35-yard line if the ball lands in the end zone and is downed in the end zone by the receiving team or goes out of bounds behind the receiving team's goal line.

2-A. By Competition Committee; aligns the postseason and regular season overtime rules by granting both teams an opportunity to possess the ball regardless of the outcome of the first possession, subject to a 10-minute overtime period in the regular season.

3. By Competition Committee; amends Rule 15, to expand 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.

2025 Approved Bylaws Summary

1. By Competition Committee; amends Article XVII, Section 17.16 of the Constitution and Bylaws, to permit clubs to designate two players for return at the roster reduction to 53 players.

2. By Competition Committee; amends Article XVII, Section 17.16 of the Constitution and Bylaws, to permit clubs participating in the postseason to receive two additional DFRs increasing the maximum from 8 to 10.

3. By Competition Committee; amends Article XVIII, Section 18.5 of the Constitution and Bylaws, to insert Point Differential as the third tiebreaker for awarding contracts.

2025 Approved Resolutions Summary

G-1A. By Pittsburgh; for one-year only, permits clubs to have one video or phone call with no more than five prospective Unrestricted Free Agent during the Two-Day Negotiation Period. Permits clubs to make travel arrangements with such players upon agreeing to terms.

G-2. By Baltimore, Cleveland, Houston, Las Vegas, Minnesota, Philadelphia, and Washington; to permit clubs to prepare kicking footballs ("K-Balls") before game day, similar to the process permitted for game footballs.

G-3. By Washington; to permit clubs that may qualify for the postseason to obtain scouting credentials for two consecutive games (Weeks 17 and 18) played by a potential postseason opponent. Also requires clubs hosting Wild Card games to provide scouting credentials to all teams within the same conference who are participating in the postseason.