2025 Rules Changes

The NFL is committed to protecting players from unnecessary risk, while keeping the game fair, competitive and exciting.

The NFL Competition Committee receives and considers input from coaches, general managers, owners, current players and NFL Legends, the NFL Players Association, medical personnel and the media, and conducts weeks of discussion and video study before recommending changes to any rule.

During this process, the Committee asks several questions about each potential rule change:

• Does the change improve the game?
• How will it be officiated?
• How will it be coached?
• Can the player apply the rule on the field?
• Does the change enhance player protection?

The league reviews changes with players, coaches and officials during off-season meetings, training camp and the NFL Officiating Clinic to help everyone adapt to the rule changes and points of emphasis. The Officiating Department also provides training videos for players and coaches with specific examples.

2025 Rules Changes

Dynamic Kickoff

NFL clubs amended Rule 6 to modify and make permanent the new form of free kick play implemented in 2024. The play is designed to:

• Resemble a typical scrimmage play by aligning players on both teams closer together and restricting movement to reduce space and speed.
• Promote more returns.

2025 modifications to the existing rule include:

• Modifying the alignment requirements for receiving team players in the setup zone so they may have a maximum of three players in the setup zone not on the restraining line, but never more than one player in each of the three areas within the setup zone bordered by the sidelines and inbounds lines.
• Changing 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.
• Allowing teams to declare an onside kick at any point during a game as long as they are trailing their opponent, as opposed to only in the fourth quarter. 

Learn more about the Dynamic Kickoff Rule.

Overtime Procedures

NFL teams adopted 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 10-minute overtime period in the regular season.

This amendment was proposed by Philadelphia.

Learn more about the NFL overtime rules.

Instant Replay Assist

NFL clubs voted to amend 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.

This amendment was proposed by the Competition Committee.

Learn more about the Replay Assistance Rule.

2025 Approved Bylaws and Resolutions

Bylaws

• 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.
• By Competition Committee: amends Article XVII, Section 17.16 of the Constitution and Bylaws, so the limit of eight designated for return transactions will only apply to the regular season. Clubs participating in the postseason will get an additional two designations.
• 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.

Resolutions

• G-1A. By Pittsburgh: for one year only, permits clubs to have one video or phone call with no more than five prospective Unrestricted Free Agents during the Two-Day Negotiation Period. Permits clubs to make travel arrangements with such players upon agreeing to terms.
• G-2. By Baltimore, Cleveland, Houston, Las Vegas, Minnesota, Philadelphia, and Washington: permits clubs to prepare kicking footballs (“K-Balls”) before game day, similar to the process permitted for game footballs.
• G-3. By Washington: permits 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.