- NFL announces new rules regarding kickoff and overtime for 2025
- Expanded replay covers additional objective calls that can be overturned
- No update on changes to tush push rule
Tuesday’s NFL league meetings saw several rule changes announced for the upcoming 2025-2026 season, highlighted by adjustments to kickoffs and overtime.
The new NFL rules also included expanded replay and adjustments to free agency, injured reserve designations and the use of “chain gangs”.
The much talked about “tush push” play was also heavily discussed at the annual meeting.
Kickoffs, Overtime and New Replay Assistant Rules
The most noticeable rule change for the upcoming season comes on kickoffs. Last year’s trial version of the dynamic kickoff is here to stay but with an update for 2025. Kickoffs that result in touchbacks will now see the returning team start with the ball on their 35-yard line as opposed to their 30-yard line.
Last year’s change saw an uptick in kick returns from 21.8% to 32.8%. The 2025 update hopes to see a further increase with more teams electing to kick the ball in play and not concede the additional five yards.
The next major change addresses overtime rules. The recent 2022 rule change that allowed both teams to possess the ball in overtime regardless of one team scoring a touchdown first, will now be expanded to the regular season too.
The NFL’s Competition Committee also approved the use of expanded replay to assist in overturning calls where there is a clear error.
The wording of the new replay assistant rule is that the replay assistant can advise on-field officials about, “objective aspects of a play and/or to address game administration issues when clear and obvious video evidence is present.”
An expanded list of objective calls that the replay assistant will be able to overturn with evidence that the foul didn’t occur include:
- Incorrect calls on roughing-the-kicker and running-into-the-kicker penalties
- Facemask penalties
- Tripping penalties
- Horse-collar penalties
- Forcible contact to the head or neck calls
Free Agency, Injured Reserve, Chain Gangs and Tush Push Updates
Other new NFL rules come on the procedural/technical side.
During the legal tampering period, teams will now be allowed to participate in phone or Zoom meetings with potential free agents.
The injured reserve (IR) procedures have also been adjusted to allow teams to be able to place two players on IR before rosters are reduced to 53 players. Previous rules only allowed for this after the roster reduction. Teams that reach the NFL playoffs will also be given two additional “return from IR designation” player spots.
The use of chain gangs is also being phased out with the NFL stating that virtual technology will now be used to measure the distance needed for a first down. The technology comes in the form of Sony’s Hawk-Eye. However, chain gangs will remain on the sidelines to be used in a secondary capacity.
Finally, the controversial tush push play that has been mastered by the Philadelphia Eagles will still be allowed, for now.
The Green Bay Packers put forth a proposal to either ban or modify the play. Discussions were held at the league’s meetings in Palm Beach, Florida with proponents of the ban stating safety issues of the play. However, further data to substantiate these claims is still required.
“The discussion on the tush push was very good, we showed a lot of data, a lot of questions from the clubs, a lot of discussion about it,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
The discussion on the tush push was very good, we showed a lot of data, a lot of questions from the clubs, a lot of discussion about it – NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
The Packers proposal was backed by a total of 16 NFL teams, with a minimum of 24 votes needed to approve a change to NFL bylaws. The meetings concluded with the tush push being tabled until the next round of meetings from May 20-21 in Eagan, Minnesota.
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