NFL clubs adopted the following rules change proposals, bylaws and resolutions this week at the NFL Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Ariz.
2026 Approved Playing Rules Summary
- By Competition Committee; to permit the kicking team to declare an onside kick at any time during the game.
- 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.
- By Competition Committee; to modify the kickoff alignment requirements for the receiving team players in the setup zone.
4-A. 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.
- By Competition Committee; for one year only, to allow the NFL Officiating department to correct clear and obvious mistakes 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 Approved Bylaws Summary
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Approved Resolutions Summary
- 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.
Additional notes
- NFL executive vice president of media distribution Hans Schroeder announced that the league will no longer air "Monday Night Football" double-headers during the 2026 regular season. This means Mondays will be limited to one game per week.
- NFL owners voted in favor of a scheduling proposal which clarifies that Friday games will no longer be treated as "short-week" games. Previously, Friday games counted toward the maximum of two "short-week" games teams were permitted to play in.
- NFL owners approved a proposal to expand mental health resources for players as clubs must now employ a full-time mental health clinician. Dr. Desaree Festa has been the Bills full-time Team Sports Psychologist for the last six seasons, specializing in mental wellness and mental performance services.
- The Cleveland Browns withdrew their proposal to allow clubs to trade NFL draft selections up to five future seasons.
- The "tush push" was not on the agenda for this year's league meetings, meaning the play will remain legal for at least the 2026 season.
