NFL Clubs Have Submitted 2025 Playing Rules Proposals
Is the Tush Push a.k.a. the Brotherly Shove destined for the trash heap? Will playoff seeding selection be changed? Or will the automatic first down for defensive holding and illegal contact go away? These are a few of the eight items NFL Clubs have submitted for 2025 playing rules proposals. Each rule will be discussed and potentially voted upon by ownership at the Annual League Meeting. The meeting begins March 30 in Palm Beach, Florida.
Many are interested to see if the tush push will be eliminated and if playoff seeding will change. Earlier this year, the Green Bay Packers were outed as the team that was pushing for the Brotherly Shove to be removed from the game. Now they have formalized their request via the rules proposals. However, there isn’t much data to show that the play is dangerous to the players or raises concerns about player health and safety.
The Detroit Lions want to amend the current playoff seeding format to allow Wild Card teams to be seeded higher than Division Champions. If the Wild Card team has a better regular season record. Had that been the case in 2024 the NFC playoff seeding would have been much different. For instance Tampa Bay (10-7) would have traveled to Minnesota instead of hosting the 12-5 Commanders. If they decide to make that change then I wonder what would be the point of keeping the divisions? They could mimic the NBA and just have the two conferences without the four divisions in each conference.
The proposals are divided into three groups: Playing Rules Proposals, Bylaw Proposals and Resolution Proposals. NFL.com did a summary of all eight proposals for the three categories. It’s a lot simpler than reading the 19-page pdf of the 2025 Club Proposals – Playing Rules, Bylaws & Resolutions.
NFL Clubs Have Submitted 2025 Playing Rules Proposals
2025 Club Playing Rule Proposals Summary
- By Detroit; amends Rule 8, Section 4, to eliminate an automatic first down. As a penalty imposed for defensive holding and illegal contact.
- By Green Bay; amends Rule 12, Section 1, to prohibit an offensive player from pushing a teammate. Who was lined up directly behind the snapper and receives the snap, immediately at the snap.
- By Philadelphia; amends Rule 16, Section 1, 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 15-minute overtime period in the regular season.
2025 Club Bylaw Proposals Summary
- By Detroit; amends Article XX, Section 20.2 of the Constitution & Bylaws, to amend the current playoff seeding format. To allow Wild Card teams to be seeded higher than Division Champions. If the Wild Card team has a better regular season record.
- By Detroit; Article XVII, Section 17.1 of the Constitution and Bylaws. To exclude from the 90-player limit a player placed on Reserve/Injured before or on the day of the roster reduction to 53 players, unless such player is Designated for Return.
NFL Rule Change Proposals To Be Considered By Ownership
2025 Club Resolution Proposals Summary
- By Pittsburgh; to permit clubs during the two-day negotiation period to: (i) have one video or phone call with a prospective unrestricted free agent and his player agent; and (ii) permits clubs to arrange for the player’s travel upon agreeing to terms with a prospective unrestricted free agent. Travel cannot occur until the beginning of the new league year.
- By Baltimore, Cleveland, Houston, Las Vegas, Minnesota, Philadelphia, and Washington; to permit clubs to prepare kicking footballs (“K-Balls”) before game day, similar to the process permitted for game footballs.
- By Washington; to permit 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.
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