2025 NFL Playing Rules, Bylaw and Resolution Proposals

2025 NFL Playing Rules, Bylaw and Resolution Proposals

See the complete NFL rules, bylaw and resolution Proposals HERE

2025 Playing Rule Proposals Summary
1. 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; (c)
changes the alignment requirements for the kicking team on an onside kick; and (d) permits
the kicking team to declare an onside kick at any time during the game if trailing its
opponent.
2. By Philadelphia; amends Rule 16, Section 1, to align 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 15-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.
4. By Detroit; amends Rule 8, Section 4, to eliminate an automatic first down as a penalty
imposed for defensive holding and illegal contact.
5. By Green Bay; amends Rule 12, Section 1, to prohibit an offensive player from pushing a
teammate who was lined up directly behind the snapper and receives the snap, immediately
at the snap.
2025 Bylaw Proposals 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.
4. By Detroit; amends Article XX, Section 20.2 of the Constitution & Bylaws, to amend the
current playoff seeding format to allow Wild Card teams to be seeded higher than Division
Champions if the Wild Card team has a better regular season record.
5. By Detroit; Article XVII, Section 17.1 of the Constitution and Bylaws, to exclude from the
90-player limit a player placed on Reserve/Injured before or on the day of the roster
reduction to 53 players, unless such player is Designated for Return.
2025 Resolutions Proposals Summary
G-1. By Pittsburgh; to permit clubs during the two-day negotiation period to: (i) have one
video or phone call with a prospective unrestricted free agent and his player agent;
and (ii) permits clubs to arrange for the player’s travel upon agreeing to terms with a
prospective unrestricted free agent. Travel cannot occur until the beginning of the
new league year.
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.
2025 Playing Rule Proposals Summary
1. 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; (c)
changes the alignment requirements for the kicking team on an onside kick; and (d) permits
the kicking team to declare an onside kick at any time during the game if trailing its
opponent.
2. By Philadelphia; amends Rule 16, Section 1, to align 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 15-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.
4. By Detroit; amends Rule 8, Section 4, to eliminate an automatic first down as a penalty
imposed for defensive holding and illegal contact.
5. By Green Bay; amends Rule 12, Section 1, to prohibit an offensive player from pushing a
teammate who was lined up directly behind the snapper and receives the snap, immediately
at the snap.

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Author: David Keech

David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]