NFL owners approved a rule change Tuesday to allow both teams to possess the ball in overtime during the regular season, a league source told The Athletic. The new regular-season overtime rules will now more closely resemble the playoff format, in which both teams are given at least one possession. That rule has been in place since 2022. Unlike the playoff overtime period, which lasts 15 minutes, regular-season overtime will remain just 10 minutes. This rule change represents a major shift from the NFL’s current format — which can still result in a tie. Currently, both teams get a possession in overtime only if the first team to get the ball doesn’t score a touchdown on its opening drive of the extra frame. If the first team to play offense doesn’t score a touchdown, the opposing team gets a chance to possess the ball and could end the game with a touchdown. The overtime rule change was one of several discussed at this week’s annual league meeting. Owners also approved expanded replay assist, a league source told The Athletic. Replay assist will be used to reverse incorrectly assessed penalties where “clear and obvious video evidence is present.” It would not enforce missed non-calls.
NFL owners approved a variety of rule changes Tuesday, including a modification of the dynamic kickoff that will place the ball after touchbacks at the 35-yard line and a tweak to the regular-season overtime period to mirror postseason rules, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Tuesday. The kickoff proposal, submitted by the competition committee, was broken into two parts by owners Tuesday. While owners approved moving the touchback spot from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line, proposed changes to offside kick rules were tabled by owners for more discussion at meetings scheduled for May. The committee had proposed some mild alignment tweaks and also suggested eliminating the requirement that onside kicks can occur only in the fourth quarter. The NFL projects that its kickoff return rate will rise to between 60% and 70% with touchbacks moved to the 35-yard line, competition committee chairman Rich McKay said last week.
Owners on Tuesday voted unanimously to pass a rule change that will guarantee both teams at least one possession during regular-season overtime periods regardless of the outcome of the first possession, according to multiple reports. The only difference is overtime in the regular season will be 10 minutes and not 15. The original proposal by the Eagles called for a 15-minute extra period in the regular season with an eye on reducing the likelihood of a tie, but that aspect will not be enacted. NFL owners also voted to expand replay assist, which will allow replay officials more power to help on-field officials get calls correct.
