The NFL's annual meeting serves a handful of purposes. It's a chance for owners and coaches to get together and discuss the future of the league between the offseason frenzies of free agency and the draft. It's also an opportunity to reform the football rule book to create a better product.
Teams came into the 2025 meeting armed with rules proposals for owners to vote on. Most of these changes have been minor. Some, like instituting a series of replay-based challenges or drastically changing kickoffs, have been more visible. Others have been instated and quickly repealed.
This year's meeting may be most notable for what hasn't changed. The NFL opted not to ban the Tush Push, the rugby-style play the Philadelphia Eagles have incorporated as a staple of their "and-short" playbook. That proposal was tabled, as was the Detroit Lions' request to re-seed the playoffs each week to ensure the top-seeded teams play the lowest-seeded ones at each stage after the Wild Card round. While those rules won't be altered this spring, their tabling suggests they could be voted on again, with different language and suggested reforms, in the future.
The Lions' other proposal, which would make defensive holding a five-yard penalty without an automatic first down, was rejected.
Now, let's look at what's new for the 2025 NFL season.
1. NFL overtime no longer ends on a first possession touchdown
The biggest change means both teams are guaranteed an offensive possession in overtime, barring a walk-off safety (the game's perfect outcome). If the receiving team scores a touchdown on its opening drive in overtime, the kicking team will get a chance at rebuttal. The period still lasts only 10 minutes, which means we may see a slight rise in regular season ties and a greater opportunity for classic playoff finishes.
2. Touchbacks on kickoffs now get placed at the receiving team's 35-yard line
The first year of the NFL's new kickoff rule was a success. After only four kickoff return touchdowns in 2023 there were seven in 2024. The kickoff touchback rate dropped from 73 percent to 64.3 percent. But that wasn't quite enough for NFL executives. They want to drop the touchdown rate even further -- so instead of a touchback coming out to the 30-yard line like it did in 2024, it will be placed at the 35 in 2025.
3. Officials can use instant replay to reverse incorrectly called penalties
If replay clearly shows a flagged facemask was instead a tug on the collar or that a quarterback was outside the pocket on an intentional grounding call, officials can buzz down and have the play reviewed and the flag rescinded. This only works for improperly called penalties and not missed calls on obvious fouls on the field.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: NFL rule changes: Owners move ...
