How the 2025 NFL Rule Changes will impact the league

The National Football League is an ever-evolving entity in a lot of ways, and how they handle rule changes would certainly fall into that category. At the NFL’s league meetings in Florida this week, owners voted on several potential rule and by-law changes. What passed? What was shot down? And what was tabled until the next owner’s meeting in May?

Let’s break it down by category, and how it can impact the league:

Rule Changes Passed

Approval of Expansion of Replay Assist

NFL approves expansion of replay assist. https://t.co/rPCxBU0hBQ

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 1, 2025

The league is expanding the use of Replay Assist, but the issue I have is not with the expansion of the policy, which is good, but the fact Replay Assist is still unable to announce when a blatant penalty occurs. In other words, replay assist can show a player did NOT have his face mask pulled, and therefore the flag is picked up, but they cannot say when the player’s facemask WAS pulled, yet not called.

It is a step in the right direction, but if the goal is getting the calls right, there is plenty of meat left on this bone.

Overtime Rules

NFL owners passed proposals to bring the playoff overtime to regular season and expand replay assist, per sources.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 1, 2025

The overtime period remains 10 minutes in length, but now both teams will get a chance to possess the football in overtime, regardless of what the first team does. I’m fine with this, as long as it doesn’t result in more ties…which I despise.

Touchback Rules Changed

The key upshot here: Touchbacks will now come out to the 35 instead of the 30, which in theory will discourage teams from kicking so many balls out of the end zone and lead to more returns. With injury rates down on the dynamic kickoff, this was the next step. https://t.co/YFgJzS8izq

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 1, 2025

Last season, the first year of the dynamic kickoff, the touchback put the football at the 30-yard line. This year it will be the 35-yard line, and this is an effort to encourage more returns and less touchbacks. Crazy to think a touchback would be only 5-yards shorter than if the kicker kicked the ball out of bounds.

Nothing has changed yet on the onside kick rules, which will be discussed in May.

Pre-Tampering Period Communication

The #Steelers’ proposal regarding contact with free agents during the negotiating window passed with some modification on a one-year trial basis.

Clubs now can have one video or phone call with no more than five prospective UFAs, and to book travel upon agreeing to terms.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 1, 2025

The Steelers proposed this change, and it was modified and approved by the league owners. Teams can now have up to five conversations via phone or video call with pending free agents to try and get a deal done. As for what the rule used to look like, here is a brief description:

Previously, clubs could only have contact with agents — not players — until free agency officially begins 52 hours later. A common-sense change at a time clubs are doling out billions of dollars to players they haven’t talked to.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 1, 2025

First Down Measurements

The league announced they will use technology for first downs in 2025, with the “chain gang” still existing, but only being used in a secondary situation where the technology fails.

This is a good step in the right direction, but my question is who will be spotting the ball? If the side judges still are spotting the ball, there will be plenty of questions surrounding those spots.

Full list of changes:

Full list of rules, bylaws and resolutions that passed today here at the NFL Annual Meeting. pic.twitter.com/2NzIShAo6E

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 1, 2025

Rule Changes Tabled

Teams re-seeded after the regular season

Detroit bylaw proposal related to playoff seeding is tabled, per source.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 1, 2025

I’m shocked this wasn’t shot down, but instead being tabled to the May meeting where it will be evaluated further.

Banning the Tush-Push

Sources: No vote today on banning the tush push. It’s being tabled to a future meeting. https://t.co/49MCWCEliV pic.twitter.com/f8gTAPLcpO

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 1, 2025

Art Rooney II said he voted to ban the Tush-Push play, but the meeting wasn’t conclusive and this will be discussed further in May when owners meet again.

Rule Changes that Did Not Pass

Illegal Contact/Defensive Holding Automatic First Down

Detroit’s proposal to eliminate an automatic first down as a penalty imposed for defensive holding and illegal contact did not pass, despite the Lions’ pleas.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 1, 2025

Considering the NFL is such an offensive-minded league, I’m not shocked the league didn’t make this change. Allowing a defender to have the upper hand, and not be further penalized for that style of play, would never fly with the long term view of the league they have for the NFL.

What do you think about these rule changes? Let us know in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the rest of free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft.