NFL teams propose 9 rule changes, most to adjust replay

The NFL released the teams’ proposals for rules changes that will be up for consideration at the annual league meeting March 24-27 in Phoenix. The rules changes proposed by the Competition Committee have not yet been released. A brief summary of each is listed below, indicating the team that proposed it.

Seven of the nine proposals suggest additions to the sphere of plays that are reviewable in replay.

Compared to years past, it is highly unusual for the rules changes proposals to be released late on a Friday night. Also, releasing them separately from the proposals submitted by the Competition Committee is also an unusual occurrence.

Since the 2015 offseason, only 11% of rules changes proposals by teams have been passed, while 97% proposed by the Competition Commitee have been passed. Washington, who is proposing two rules changes this offseason, has not had any of their seven changes since 2015 approved.

Playing rules proposals

1. In overtime, allow both teams the opportunity to possess the ball even if a touchdown is scored on the first possession; eliminate the overtime coin toss and grant the option to the team that won the toss at the start of the game; and eliminate overtime in the preseason (KC)
2. Offer an alternative option to an onside kick for teams who are trailing, reportedly to run one scrimmage down with 15 yards to go (DEN)
3. Make all plays reviewable in replay (WAS)
4. Make all personal fouls reviewable in replay (WAS)
5. Make all personal fouls reviewable in replay, including fouls that were not called on the field (KC)
6. Make specific player-safety specific fouls reviewable in replay, including fouls not called on the field (CAR-LAR-PHI-SEA)
7. Make scoring plays and turnovers negated by penalty automatically reviewable by the replay booth (PHI)
8. Make 4th down plays ruled short of the line to gain or goal line automatically reviewable by the replay booth (DEN)
9. Make all conversion tries automatically reviewable by the replay booth (DEN)