NFL's New Rules

The NFL's ownership got down to business at the Annual League Meetings in Phoenix and approved seven playing rules proposals, seven bylaw proposals, and two resolution proposals.

The headline change was the approval to extend replay to include pass interference calls, called and uncalled, in the replay review system. Coaches will now be able to challenge those calls, and no-calls, like any other play that they can challenge. As with any other play that can be reviewed, any review of pass interference calls, and no-calls, in the last two minutes will come from the replay booth. It appears that Sean Payton cried long enough and loud enough to get this rule pushed through. Until an extra, late Tuesday afternoon meeting, this rule passing was considered a long-shot.

It should be noted that this replay expansion is for only one year. However, it passed so easily this year that it should sail through a vote next year on it's permanence.

Here are the rest of the new rules, bylaws, and resolutions.

Approved playing rules

1. By Competition Committee: Makes permanent the kickoff 
rule changes that were implemented during the 2018 season.

2. By Competition Committee: Expands protection to a defenseless 
player.

3. By Competition Committee: Changes the enforcement of double 
fouls when there is a change of possession.

4. By Competition Committee: Simplifies the application of scrimmage
 kick rules for missed field goals.

5. By Competition Committee: Allows teams to elect to enforce on the 
succeeding try or on the succeeding free kick an opponent’s personal 
or unsportsmanlike conduct foul committed during a touchdown.

6c. Attached - For one year only, expands the reviewable plays in Instant 
Replay to include pass interference, called or not called on the field. Also 
expands automatic replay reviews to include scoring plays and turnovers 
negated by a foul, and any Try attempt (extra point or two-point conversion).

16. By Competition Committee: to amend Rule 15, Section 1, Article 5 to 
allow League personnel to disqualify for both flagrant football and non-football 
acts.

Approved bylaws

1. By Buffalo: to amend Article XVII, Section 17.4 to liberalize the rule 
for reacquisition of a player assigned via waivers.

2. By Competition Committee: to amend Article XVII, Section 17.1 to provide 
clubs with more roster flexibility during training camp.

3. By Competition Committee: to amend Article XVIII, Section 18.1 to provide 
teams more effective access to players during the postseason.

4. By Competition Committee: to amend Article XIV, Section 14.3(B)(8) to make 
the tie-breaking procedures fairer for the selection meeting.

5. By Competition Committee: to amend Article XVII, Section 17.1 to provide 
additional roster spots during the preseason.

6. By Competition Committee: to amend Article XVII, Section 12.3 to offer 
more roster flexibility.

Approved resolutions

G-1. By Competition Committee: to amend the Anti-Tampering Policy to permit 
an interested club to contact a Vested Veteran before clubs have been notified of 
the player’s termination via the Player Personnel Notice if (i) the players is not 
subject to the Waivers System and, (ii) the employer club has publicly announced 
the player’s release.

G-2a. By Competition Committee: for one year only, Clubs will receive the 
League’s post-game responses to officiating inquiries submitted by any club.