A handful of approved rules changes means the NFL will look slightly different during the 2025 season.
The NFL announced Tuesday that a proposal to move the spot of the ball on touchbacks from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line on kicks sent into the end zone has been approved.
The revamped kickoff rule, which was introduced last season, included revised formations and had the ball spotted at the 30-yard line on touchbacks. The rule was also approved to incentivize more returns.
Onside kicks were not affected in the approval. They are still only allowed in the fourth quarter and teams still need to declare the intention to try and onside kick.
A tweaked overtime format was among other notable approvals.
Both teams now have a chance to possess the ball in a 10-minute, regular-season overtime. The previous rule stated that a one team could win via touchdown on the first possession and deny the other team a chance to counter.
A proposal involving officiating was also approved to expand replay officials' ability to advise on-field officials "on specific, objective aspects of a play and/or address game administration issues when clear and obvious video evidence is present." This effectively empowers those with video at their disposal to help on-field officials make correct calls in a timely manner.
Other proposals that passed included:
-The NFL also approved a bylaw proposal for teams to have contact with free agents during the legal tampering period on a 1-year trial basis. Teams can now have one video or phone call with up to five prospective unrestricted free agents and can book travel upon agreeing to terms.
-Teams can also now prepare kicking footballs ("K-Balls") before game day. And teams that may qualify for the playoffs can obtain scouting credentials for two consecutive games (Weeks 17 and 18) played by a potential postseason opponent.
-Teams can also designate two players for return from Injured Reserve at the roster reduction to 53 players while playoff teams now have two extra Designated to Return spots for a total of 10.
All proposals were approved by 75 percent (24) of the clubs at the 2025 Annual League Meeting in order to be adopted.
A handful of other proposals were tabled, including one to amend the current playoff seeding format that would allow Wild Card teams to be seeded higher than a division champion if the Wild Card team has a better regular-season record.
That scenario would have meant the Chargers played a home game in the recent Wild Card Round of the playoffs. Los Angeles was an 11-win Wild Card team and traveled to Houston to face the 10-win Texans, who won the AFC South.
Green Bay's proposal to ban 'The Tush Push' was also tabled. The Packers want to prohibit an offensive player from pushing a teammate immediately at the snap if that player was lined up directly behind the snapper and receives the snap.
Proposals that were rejected included one to eliminate offenses getting an automatic first down for defensive holding and illegal contact penalties.
