The NFL's annual league meeting is nearly here, and while that may not be the most exciting event on the league's offensive calendar, it is one of the most important.
Why? Because the NFL's 32 teams will vote on potential rule changes for the 2023 NFL season.
Every year, teams are allowed to propose modifications and changes to the NFL's rulebook. Not all of them are adopted, and some are of a minor variety.
Even still, there are always rule change proposals that are of interest to fans. Some of them change the fabric of how the game is played, and there has been a notable focus placed in recent seasons on officiating and rules that improve the fan experience.
As one might expect, those types of potential rule changes are on the docket for 2023. However, there will be no rule that would effectively ban Philadelphia's uber-effective "Two Cheek Sneak" on the docket in 2023; nor will there be a rule about having an extra emergency quarterback available on game days either.
So, what are the NFL rule change proposals for 2023? Here's a breakdown of the rules that the NFL is considering changing, starting with a few of the most notable proposals.
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NFL rule change proposals 2023
Below are the most notable rule change proposals for the 2023 NFL season, starting with a potential rule change that has been attempted multiple times.
Making roughing the passer calls reviewable
Every week in the NFL, it seems as though there is a questionable roughing the passer penalty called. These calls — like the one against Grady Jarrett in a 2022 Falcons vs. Buccaneers game — have often swung games in a way that many fans view unfavorably.
That's why the Rams have proposed a rule that will make roughing the passer calls subject to review.
One would presume that this might gain traction among NFL owners, but there is a question of whether it would face any resistance from officials. The NFL made pass interference reviewable during the 2019 NFL season, after Nickell Robey-Coleman famously wasn't called for pass interference in the NFC championship game, but the officials rarely overturned the challenged calls.
Would they follow a similar strategy with roughing the passer reviews? It doesn't seem likely, as NFL.com's Judy Battista reports.
Owners will consider several rules proposals at the NFL's annual meeting. As the meeting begins, does not seem to be enough support for making roughing the passer reviewable by replay, according to a person familiar with the Competition Comm. conversations.
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) March 26, 2023
So, perhaps that failed pass interference challenge experiment is what's giving NFL owners pause regarding roughing the passer reviews.
Even still, the Rams aren't the only team that has suggested making penalties reviewable. The Lions have as well, though they are taking aim at personal foul calls as a whole.
By Detroit; amends Rule 15, Section 3, Article 9, to expand the coaches' challenge system to include personal fouls called on the field.
Detroit's proposal is less likely to pass than that of the Rams, but this one will be interesting to monitor either way. The NFL's competition committee said in a media availability on Friday, March 24 that "officiating was at the top, and crew consistency was the theme" of its recent meetings, so it will be intriguing to see just how amenable the group may be about placing an extra check and balance on the league's officials.
Fourth-and-20 as an onside kick alternative
The Eagles have long been proponents of adding an alternative to the onside kick. They have previously proposed allowing teams to attempt a fourth-and-15 in an effort to retain possession but they have taken a slightly different approach this year.
They are moving their target five yards back, as communicated in the NFL's official rule change proposals list.
By Philadelphia; amends Rule 6, Section 1, to permit a team to maintain possession of the ball after a score by substituting one offensive play (4th-and-20 from the kicking team's 20-yard line) for an onside kickoff attempt.
The logic of this rule is twofold. First and foremost, it will add extra excitement to the game by putting an offense in a do-or-die scenario instead of relying on the special teams unit to make an improbable play.
Speaking of improbable, onside kicks have become harder and harder to recover in recent seasons, as only 5.3 percent of attempts were recovered during the 2022 NFL season. The fourth-and-20 wouldn't necessarily be easy to convert, but it would provide the team with a more realistic and more exciting chance at making a big play.
This was the root of the fourth-and-15 proposal as well, but the NFL pointed out that the conversion rate on those plays was higher than that of an onside kick in rejecting the rule. The Eagles are hoping that by shifting it back, the percentages will be more equal and thus will come with more of a chance for teams to retain possession.
It should also be noted that the fourth-and-15 onside kick alternative is currently being utilized in the XFL and USFL. Thus far, the rule has proven to be a success, with the St. Louis Battlehawks earning a Week 1 thanks, in part, to this rule and a heroic effort from A.J. McCarron.
In the XFL: Instead of an onside kick, the trailing team can maintain possession with a 4th-and-15 play from its own 25-yard line.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 19, 2023
It just worked for the St. Louis BattleHawks.
This was brought to NFL owners in the past but didn't get enough votes.pic.twitter.com/qNP5QukWMy
So, there is proof that this rule can add a fun new element to the game. Now, it's just a matter of whether the NFL thinks it's too much of a gimmick to employ.
NFL number rules: No. 0 jersey available for players
The NFL's number rules were overhauled a couple of seasons ago. It is now commonplace to see players on both sides of the ball wear single-digit jerseys, but one still remains unavailable.
That would be the No. 0 jersey. The NFL hasn't allowed that at the pro level just yet, but the Eagles are proposing to add that into the league's mix.
Philadelphia is also petitioning for a change in kicker numbers, as you can read about below.
By Philadelphia; amends Rule 5, Section 1, Article 2, to permit the use of zero ("0") as a jersey numeral; to allow kickers and punters to use any jersey numeral between 0-49 and 90-99.
Obviously, this rule won't impact the on-field performance of each player. However, if this rule passes, it will be interesting to see which players jump on the coveted No. 0 jersey.
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Other proposed NFL rule changes for 2023
The four potential rule changes outlined above are the most notable ones that could happen in 2023. However, there are 13 other rule changes that owners will vote on during their upcoming meetings as well.
They are as follows, according to NFL operations:
Team proposed NFL rule changes 2023
- Chargers: Adjust the play clock following an instant replay reversal consistent with other timing rules.
- Lions: Provide clubs more opportunities for a third challenge.
- Lions: Expand the replay official's jurisdiction to allow for consultation regarding penalty assessment.
- Texans: Expand the replay official's jurisdiction to allow for review on failed fourth-down attempts.
- Jets: To expand the crackback prohibition to players who go in motion and go beyond the center to block ("split-flow block") a defender below the waist.
Competition committee proposed NFL rule changes 2023
- To change the definition of a launch to leaving one or both feet.
- To make the penalty for tripping a personal foul.
- To make the penalty for illegally handing the ball forward consistent with other illegal acts, such as illegal forward passes.
- To make the penalty for illegal punts, drop kicks, or placekicks consistent with other illegal acts, such as illegal forward passes.
- To put the ball in play at the receiving team’s 25-yard line when a touchback occurs from a punt.
- To prevent the offense from benefitting by an extension of the half as a result of their foul.
- To put the ball in play at the receiving team’s 25-yard line if there is a fair catch on a free kick (kickoff and safety kick) behind the receiving team’s 25-yard line.
- To clarify use of the helmet against an opponent by removing the “butt, ram, spear” language from Article 8 and incorporating those actions into Impermissible Use of the Helmet.
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What is the NFL's competition committee?
The NFL's competition committee is a group that "reviews all competitive aspects of the game," according to the league's operations website.
This includes, but is not limited to, the following subjects:
- Playing rules
- Roster regulations
- Technology
- Game-day operations
- Player protection
The committee was formed by commissioner Pete Rozelle two years ahead of the NFL and AFL merger in 1970. Its members are selected by the commissioner, and the group is currently comprised of the following members:
- Rich McKay (Chairman) — president and CEO, Atlanta Falcons
- Katie Blackburn — executive vice president, Cincinnati Bengals
- Chris Grier — general manager, Miami Dolphins
- Stephen Jones — executive vice president, Dallas Cowboys
- John Mara — owner, NY Giants
- Ozzie Newsome — executive vice president, Baltimore Ravens
- Frank Reich — head coach, Carolina Panthers
- Ron Rivera — head coach, Washington Commanders
- Mike Tomlin — head coach, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Mike Vrabel — head coach, Tennessee Titans
