What rule changes have NFL teams proposed for the 2023 season?
Having announced a number of proposed rule changes, it appears the NFL - following recommendations from teams - is attempting to streamline the game of football.
As is the case with any elite sports league, the pressure is always on to create an environment which brings the best out of the players, while simultaneously pleasing the fans who watch week in and week out. In that context, the NFL has seemingly tried to address the situation with a number of changes, however, it’s important to understand that these ideas are the product of dialogue with teams.
What are the proposed NFL rule changes?
If you didn’t know, there are a number of league meetings between the NFL and the teams that play in it, in the coming weeks. During those sessions, a number of topics will be discussed, but perhaps one of the most contentious will be the notion of changes to specific rules within the league. To be clear, any amendment of a rule in the league, requires that 75% of the team owners (24) must vote in favor of it. With no further ado, here’s a look at what augmentations have been proposed, along with which teams offered them up:
- Proposed by Philadelphia Eagles: Amends Rule 5, Section 1, Article 2, to permit the use of zero (”0″) as a jersey numeral; to allow kickers and punters to use any jersey numeral between 0-49 and 90-99.
- Proposed by Philadelphia Eagles: amends Rule 6, Section 1, to permit a team to maintain possession of the ball after a score by substituting one offensive play (4th-and-20 from the kicking team’s 20-yard line) for an onside kickoff attempt.
- Proposed by Los Angeles Chargers: amends Rule 4, Section 6, Article 3 and Section 7, Article 4, to make the adjustment of the play clock following an instant replay reversal consistent with other timing rules.
- Proposed by Detroit Lions: amends Rule 15, Section 3, Article 9, to expand the coaches’ challenge system to include personal fouls called on the field.
- Proposed by Detroit Lions: amends Rule 15, Section 1, to provide clubs more opportunities for a third challenge.
- Proposed by Detroit Lions: amends Rule 15, Section 3, to expand the replay official’s jurisdiction to allow for consultation regarding penalty assessment.
- Proposed by Houston Texans: amends Rule 15, Section 1, Article 2, to expand the replay official’s jurisdiction to allow for review on failed fourth-down attempts.
- Proposed by Los Angeles Rams: amends Rule 15, Section 1 and Section 3, to make fouls for roughing the passer called on the field subject to replay assist and/or review by a coach’s challenge.
- Proposed by New York Jets: amends Rule 12, Section 2, Article 6, to expand the crackback prohibition to players who go in motion and go beyond the center to block (“split-flow block”) a defender below the waist.