Updates

The 2026 Playing Rules, Bylaw and Resolution proposals have been sent to clubs for review ahead of the Annual League Meeting. To be adopted, a new rule must have the support of at least 24 clubs. Voting will take place at the Annual League Meeting, which begins on March 29 in Phoenix. 

The NFL's Competition Committee met in early March to review video, draft rule proposals and positions, discuss proposals submitted by clubs and prepare its report of supporting statistics for the membership to discuss and vote on at the League’s annual meeting. 

A summary of the proposed Playing Rules, Bylaw and Resolution proposals is below, and you can also view the full proposals here.

2026 Playing Rules Proposals Summary

1. By Competition Committee; to permit the kicking team to declare an onside kick at any time during the game.
2. By Competition Committee; to eliminate the kicking team’s incentive to intentionally kick the ball out of bounds when kicking off from the 50-yard line.
3. By Competition Committee; to modify the kickoff alignment requirements for the receiving team players in the setup zone.
4. By Competition Committee; to allow League personnel to consult with on-field officials when considering disqualifications for both flagrant football acts and non-football acts without being called on the field.
5. By Competition Committee; for one year only, to allow the NFL Officiating Department to correct clear and obvious misses made by on-field officials that impact the game, in the event that there is a work stoppage involving the game officials represented by the NFL Referees Association.

2026 Bylaw Proposals Summary

1. By Competition Committee; amends Article XVII, Section 17.1 of the Constitution and Bylaws to permit the League office to adjust the procedures and related dates and deadlines for the final roster reduction to accommodate an international game scheduled in the first week of the regular season.
2. By Competition Committee; amends Article XVII, Section 18.1 (B) of the Constitution and Bylaws to establish the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend as business days to provide clubs with personnel notices during the first weekend after the roster reduction.
3. By Competition Committee; to permit players on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform to begin a 21-day practice period after the club’s second game of the regular season.

2026 Resolution Proposals Summary

1. By Pittsburgh; to make permanent the change implemented during the 2025 season that permits clubs to have one video or phone call with no more than five prospective Unrestricted Free Agent during the Two-Day Negotiation Period, and to permit clubs to make travel arrangements with such players upon agreeing to terms.
2. By Cleveland; to allow draft selections to be traded up to five (5) seasons in the future.