Every year NFL owners meet to discuss and vote on potential rule changes for the upcoming season. You probably know that the biggest, and most contentious vote in 2025 was on the “Tush Push,” with owners ultimately agreeing to keep the play legal — much to the joy of the Philadelphia Eagles.
While that was the play that made all the headlines, we did see five changes to the fundamental rules of the NFL which will go into effect for the first time in the regular season with Cowboys vs. Eagles on Thursday Night Football. Here’s what you need to know so you aren’t confused about the potential changes.
Kickoff touchbacks moved to the 35-yard line
The league’s experiment with a new kickoff format worked in 2024, with concussion rates on kickoff plays dropping by 43%. Owners codified to make the new kickoff format permanent, but with one important change for 2025: Moving the ball to the 35-yard line on kickoff touchbacks.
This is about ensuring we still see returns be part of the game, rather than having kickers routinely blast the ball out of the back of the end zone on every restart. Last year the ball was set at the 30-yard line, which some teams still felt was better than risking a return. That changes this year. This should lead to even more variation of how teams approach kickoff, with new kicking tactics being employed throughout the NFL.
Expanded use of replay officials
The use of replay officials to interject in penalty situations has been vastly expanded in 2025. Now officials can make determinations of the following plays:
- Roughing the passer in hits to the head/neck area
- Intentional grounding
- Unneccesary roughness on hits out of bounds, or the head/neck area
- Facemask penalties
- Horse-Collar tackles
- Tripping
- Roughing the kicker
Contentious plays will automatically be reviewed by replay officials until 20 seconds remain on the play clock. During that time they will offer objective facts of the play to referees. They are also permitted to proactively communicate with on-field officials when there is clear replay evidence about a play, rather than wait for officials to ask for their input.
It’s important to note that the use of replay officials in penalty situations only applies if there’s a flag on the field. The NFL still does not allow replay officials to have a say in missed penalties where no flag was thrown.
Teams can declare onside kicks at any point
This one is fairly self explanatory. Last year teams were limited to attempting onside kicks in the fourth quarter. Now the trailing team can line up for an onside kick at any time during the game.
Guaranteed possession in overtime
The NFL is bringing its regular season overtime rules in line with its playoff overtime rules. Instead of an opening drive touchdown ending the game, the defensive team is guaranteed at least one possession to attempt to score themselves.
Overtime is now 10 minutes. If time expires during the opening drive the game will still end a tie. In addition, if the defensive team manages to score on a safety off the opening drive in overtime the game will also end.
The NFL is finally having modern measuring! (Kind of). The much-maligned chain gang will still be in effect, however they will no longer decide crucial first downs with the antiquated method. Now all first downs will be measured virtually using 8K resolution Hawk-Eye cameras installed in every NFL stadium.
Officials will still spot the ball, with virtual measuring determining if the ball is past the first down line. We haven’t yet reached the ideal of having every play be accurate — but this is a good first step which should speed up play, and make things better.
This is an odd one which shouldn’t happen, but at some point this season it probably will. If a team requests a time out when they no longer have any available they will be assessed a Delay of Game penalty. In the past officials simply ignored these requests, but now both players and coaches will need to be aware of their time out status and ensure they don’t ask for one when there isn’t a time out available.
Just wait for a critical game to have a 10 second runoff because of this.
Point of emphasis: Sportsmanship
The NFL has made it very clear they will come down harder on unsportsmanlike gestures used as celebrations. Teams and players are aware that this is the point of emphasis for 2025, and should not be surprised if they are penalized for it. Here’s the official rule from the NFL:
”Any violent gesture, which shall include, but not be limited to, a throat slash, simulating firing or brandishing a gun, or using the ‘nose wipe’ gesture, or an act that is sexually suggestive or offensive.
It remains to be seen how many thrusts are allowed before a flag is thrown.
