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https://nflcommunications.com/Documents/2018 Offseason/03 22 018 - Rules Change Proposals 2.pdf
2018 Playing Rules Proposals Summary
1. By Competition Committee; Makes permanent the playing rule that changes the spot of the next snap after a touchback resulting from a free kick to the 25-yard line. 2. By Competition Committee; Changes standard for a catch.
3. By Competition Committee; Makes the penalties for Illegal Batting & Kicking the same.
4. By Los Angeles Chargers; Amends Rule 15, Section 2, Article 5 to add fouls for roughing the passer and fouls against players in a defenseless posture as reviewable plays in the instant replay system.
5. By Washington; Amends Rule 15, Section 2, Article 5 to add review of personal fouls as reviewable plays in the instant replay system.
6. By New York Jets; Amends Rule 8, Section 5, Articles 1-4 to change the enforcement for defensive pass interference.
7 By Competition Committee; Authorizes the designated member of the Officiating department to instruct on-field game officials to disqualify a player for a flagrant nonfootball act when a foul for that act is called on the field.
8. By Competition Committee; Conforms the amount of time in which a team must challenge a play if there is a television commercial break following the play in question.
9. By Competition Committee; Eliminates the requirement that a team who scores a winning touchdown at the end of regulation of a game to kick the extra point or go for two-point conversion.
10. By Competition Committee; If there is a turnover, a team may win an overtime game, even though it scores on its second possession.
2018 Bylaw Proposals Summary
1. By Competition Committee; Makes permanent the liberalization of rules for timing, testing, and administering physical examinations to draft-eligible players at a club’s facility.
2. By Buffalo; For one year only, amends Article XVII, Section 17.4 to liberalize the rule for reacquisition of a player assigned via waivers.
3. By Buffalo; For one year only, amends Article XVII, Section 17.6 to liberalize the procedures for players placed on Reserve/Retired.
4. By Denver; Amends Article XVII, Section 17.16 to permit clubs to trade players from Reserve/Injured.
5. By Miami; Amends Article XVII, Section 17.1 to remove the requirement that a non-vested player be placed on waivers to be removed from the 90-player roster prior to the roster reduction to 53 players.
6. By Minnesota; Amends Article XVIII, Section 18.1 to replace the 10-day postseason claiming period with a 24-hour period.
7. By San Francisco, Arizona, and Los Angeles Chargers; Reduces the competitive equity that exists between teams who have morning body clock start times on long road trips.
8. By Competition Committee; Permits coaches to review video displayed on Leagueissued tablets on the sidelines and in the coaches’ booth.
9. By Competition Committee; A player who is designated for return is eligible to be activated after eight games, not eight weeks.
10. By Competition Committee; Lengthens the period to execute an Injury Settlement from five business days to seven business days.
11. By Competition Committee; Changes the deadline to reinstate players from certain Reserve List categories.
12. By Competition Committee; Updates Reserve/Military List procedures to reflect the current League calendar. 2018 Resolution Proposal Summary
G-1. By Washington; Allows opposing teams to receive the League’s postgame responses to any officiating inquiries submitted by either team.
G-2. By San Francisco; Requires all NFL stadiums by 2021 to have three separate and permanent locker rooms to be exclusively designated for female football staff on game days as follows: game officials, home club staff members, and visiting club staff members.
G-4. By Competition Committee; Permits a club to negotiate and sign a head coach candidate during the postseason prior to the conclusion of the employer club’s season.
G-5. By Competition Committee; For one year only, permits an interested club to contact a Vested Veteran before clubs have been notified of the player’s termination via the Player Personnel Notice if (i) the players is not subject to the Waivers System and, (ii) the employer club has publicly announced the player’s release.
2018 Playing Rules Proposals
1. By Competition Committee; Makes permanent the playing rule that changes the spot of the next snap after a touchback resulting from a free kick to the 25-yard line. 2. By Competition Committee; Changes standard for a catch.
3. By Competition Committee; Makes the penalties for Illegal Batting & Kicking the same.
4. By Los Angeles Chargers; Amends Rule 15, Section 2, Article 5 to add fouls for roughing the passer and fouls against players in a defenseless posture as reviewable plays in the instant replay system.
5. By Washington; Amends Rule 15, Section 2, Article 5 to add review of personal fouls as reviewable plays in the instant replay system.
6. By New York Jets; Amends Rule 8, Section 5, Articles 1-4 to change the enforcement for defensive pass interference.
7 By Competition Committee; Authorizes the designated member of the Officiating department to instruct on-field game officials to disqualify a player for a flagrant nonfootball act when a foul for that act is called on the field.
8. By Competition Committee; Conforms the amount of time in which a team must challenge a play if there is a television commercial break following the play in question.
9. By Competition Committee; Eliminates the requirement that a team who scores a winning touchdown at the end of regulation of a game to kick the extra point or go for two-point conversion.
10. By Competition Committee; If there is a turnover, a team may win an overtime game, even though it scores on its second possession.
2018 PLAYING RULE PROPOSAL NO. 1
Amend Rule 11, Section 6, Article 3 (Touchback, pg. 47) (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):
ARTICLE 3. BALL NEXT IN PLAY. After a touchback, the team that has been awarded the touchback next snaps the ball at its 20-yard line from any point on or between the inbound lines, unless the touchback results from a free kick, in which case the ball shall be placed at the team’s 25yard line.
Submitted by Competition Committee
Effect: Makes permanent the Playing Rule that changes the spot of the next snap after a touchback resulting from a free kick to the 25-yard line.
Reason: Player safety.
2018 PLAYING RULE PROPOSAL NO. 2
Amend Rule 8, Section 1, Article 3 (Completed or Intercepted Pass, pgs. 31-32) (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):
ARTICLE 3. COMPLETED OR INTERCEPTED PASS. A player who makes a catch may advance the ball. A forward pass is complete (by the offense) or intercepted (by the defense) in the field of play, at the sideline, or in the end zone if a player, who is inbounds: (a) secures control of the ball in his hands or arms, prior to the ball touching the ground; and (b) touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands; and (c) maintains control of the ball after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled, performs any act common to the game (e.g., tuck the ball away, extend it towards or over the goal line or the line to gain, take an additional step, turn upfield, or avoid or ward off an opponent), or he maintains control of the ball long enough to do so. until he has the ball long enough to clearly become a runner. A player has the ball long enough to become a runner when, after his second foot is on the ground, he is capable of avoiding or warding off impending contact of an opponent, tucking the ball away, turning up field, or taking additional steps (see 3-2-7-Item 2).
Note 1: If a player has control of the ball, a slight Movement of the ball does not automatically result in loss of control. will not be considered a loss of possession. He must lose control of the ball in order to rule that there has been a loss of possession. If the player loses the ball while simultaneously touching both feet or any part of his body to the ground, it is not a catch.
Note 2: If a player, who satisfied (a) and (b), but has not satisfied (c), contacts the ground and loses control of the ball, it is an incomplete pass if the ball hits the ground before he regains control, or if he regains control out of bounds.
Note 3: A receiver is considered a player in a defenseless posture (See Rule 12, Section 2, Article 7) throughout the entire process of the catch and until the player is capable of avoiding or warding off the impending contact of an opponent.
Item 1. Player Going to the Ground. A player is considered to be going to the ground if he does not remain upright long enough to demonstrate that he is clearly a runner. If a player goes to the ground in the act of catching a pass (with or without contact by an opponent), he must maintain control of the ball until after his initial contact with the ground, whether in the field of play or the end zone. If he loses control of the ball, and the ball touches the ground before he regains control, the pass is incomplete. If he regains control prior to the ball touching the ground, the pass is complete.
Item 2. Sideline Catches. If a player goes to the ground out-of-bounds (with or without contact by an opponent) in the process of making a catch at the sideline, he must maintain complete and continuous control of the ball until after his initial contact with the ground, or the pass is incomplete. Item 3. End Zone Catches. The requirements for a catch in the end zone are the same as the requirements for a catch in the field of play. Note: In the field of play, if a catch of a forward pass has been completed, after which contact by a defender causes the ball to become loose before the runner is down by contact, it is a fumble, and the ball remains alive. In the end zone, the same action is a touchdown, since the receiver completed the catch beyond the goal line prior to the loss of possession, and the ball is dead when the catch is completed. Item 4. Ball Touches Ground. If the ball touches the ground after the player secures control of it, it is a catch, provided that the player continues to maintain control.
Item 5. Simultaneous Catch. Note 4: If a pass is caught simultaneously by two eligible opponents, and both players retain it, the ball belongs to the passers. It is not a simultaneous catch if a player gains control first and an opponent subsequently gains joint control. If the ball is muffed after simultaneous touching by two such players, all the players of the passing team become eligible to catch the loose ball.
Item 6. Carried Out of Bounds. Note 5: If a player, who is in possession of the ball, is held up and carried out of bounds by an opponent before both feet or any part of his body other than his hands touches the ground inbounds, it is a completed or intercepted pass. It is not necessary for the player to maintain control of the ball when he lands out of bounds.
Submitted by Competition Committee
Effect: Changes standard for a catch.
Reason: Simplification and clarification of the rule.
2018 PLAYING RULE PROPOSAL NO. 2
Amend Rule 8, Section 1, Article 3 (Completed or Intercepted Pass, pgs. 31-32):
ARTICLE 3. COMPLETED OR INTERCEPTED PASS. A player who makes a catch may advance the ball as a runner. A forward pass is complete (by the offense) or intercepted (by the defense) in the field of play, at the sideline, or in the end zone if a player, who is in bounds: (a) secures control of the ball in his hands or arms, prior to the ball touching the ground; and (b) touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands; and (c) after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled, performs any act common to the game (e.g., tuck the ball away, extend it towards or over the goal line or the line to gain, take an additional step, turn upfield, or avoid or ward off an opponent), or he maintains control of the ball long enough to do so.
Note 1: Movement of the ball does not automatically result in loss of control.
Note 2: If a player, who satisfied (a) and (b), but has not satisfied (c), contacts the ground and loses control of the ball, it is an incomplete pass if the ball hits the ground before he regains control, or if he regains control out of bounds.
Note 3: A receiver is considered a player in a defenseless posture (See Rule 12, Section 2, Article 7) throughout the entire process of the catch and until the player is capable of avoiding or warding off the impending contact of an opponent.
Note 4: If a pass is caught simultaneously by two eligible opponents, and both players retain it, the ball belongs to the passers. It is not a simultaneous catch if a player gains control first and an opponent subsequently gains joint control.
Note 5: If a player, who is in possession of the ball, is held up and carried out of bounds by an opponent before both feet or any part of his body other than his hands touches the ground inbounds, it is a completed or intercepted pass.
2018 PLAYING RULE PROPOSAL NO. 3
Amend Rule 12, Section 5, Article 1 (Illegal Bat, pg. 56) (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):
Article 1. ILLEGAL BAT. It is an illegal bat if: a) Any player bats or punches a loose ball in the field of play toward his opponent’s goal line b) Any player bats or punches a loose ball (that has touched the ground) in any direction, if it is in either end zone c) An offensive player bats a backward pass in flight toward his opponent’s goal line.
Exception: A forward pass in flight may be tipped, batted, or deflected in any direction by any eligible player at any time.
Note: If a forward pass that is controlled by a player prior to completing the catch is thrown forward, it is an illegal bat. If it is caught by a teammate or intercepted by an opponent, the ball remains alive. If it is not caught, the ball is dead when it hits the ground.
Penalty: For illegal batting or punching the ball: Loss of 10 yards. If the foul is by Team A before possession changes during a scrimmage down: Loss of down and loss of 10 yards except for a foul by Team A beyond the line of scrimmage during a scrimmage kick, in which case there is no loss of down.
Article 2. Illegally Kicking Ball. No player may deliberately kick a loose ball or a ball that is in a player’s possession.
Penalty: For Illegally kicking the ball: Loss of 10 yards. If the foul is by Team A before possession changes during a scrimmage down: Loss of down and loss of 10 yards except for a foul by Team A beyond the line of scrimmage during a scrimmage kick, in which case there is no loss of down.
Submitted by Competition Committee
Effect: Makes the penalties for Illegal Batting & Kicking the same.
Reason: Officiating consistency.
2018 PLAYING RULE PROPOSAL NO. 4
Amend Rule 15, Section 2, Articles 4 and 5 (Instant Replay, pgs. 65-66) (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):
ARTICLE 4. NON-REVIEWABLE PLAYS. The following play situations are not reviewable. (a) Fouls, except for Articles 5(g), (i) and (j) below ARTICLE 5. REVIEWABLE PLAYS. The Replay System will cover the following play situations: (a) Plays involving possession. (b) Plays involving touching of either the ball or the ground. (c) Plays governed by the goal line. (d) Plays governed by the boundary lines. (e) Plays governed by the line of scrimmage. (f) Plays governed by the line to gain. (g) Number of players on the field at the snap, even when a foul is not called. (h) Game administration: (1) Penalty enforcement. (2) Proper down. (3) Spot of a foul. (4) Status of the game clock. (i) Fouls against players in a defenseless posture (12-2-7). (j) Fouls for roughing the passer (12-2-9)
Submitted by Los Angeles Chargers
Effect: Expands reviewable plays to include fouls for roughing the passer and fouls against players in a defenseless posture.
Reason: Permits the Instant Replay system to correct an officiating error.
2018 PLAYING RULE PROPOSAL NO. 5
Amend Rule 15, Section 2, Articles 4(a) and 5(h) (Instant Replay, pg. 65) to read (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):
ARTICLE 4. NON-REVIEWABLE PLAYS. The following play situations are not reviewable. (a) Fouls, except for Articles 5(g) and 5(h) below ARTICLE 5. REVIEWABLE PLAYS. The Replay System will cover the following play situations. (a) Plays involving possession. (b) Plays involving touching of either the ball or the ground. (c) Plays governed by the goal line. (d) Plays governed by the boundary lines. (e) Plays governed by the line of scrimmage. (f) Plays governed by the line to gain. (g) Number of players on the field at the snap, even when a foul is not called. (h) Any personal foul penalty. (i) Game administration: (1) Penalty enforcement. (2) Proper down. (3) Spot of a foul. (4) Status of the game clock.
Submitted by Washington
Effect: Subjects personal foul penalties to instant replay review.
Reason: Permits the Instant Replay system to correct an officiating error.
2018 PLAYING RULE PROPOSAL NO. 6
Amend Rule 8, Section 5, Articles 1-4 (Pass Interference, pgs. 34-35) (new language underlined):
SECTION 5 PASS INTERFERENCE ARTICLE 1. DEFINITION. It is pass interference by either team when any act by a player more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage significantly hinders an eligible player’s opportunity to catch the ball. Pass interference can only occur when a forward pass is thrown from behind the line of scrimmage, regardless of whether the pass is legal or illegal, or whether it crosses the line.
Defensive pass interference rules apply from the time the ball is thrown until the ball is touched. See Article 2 for prohibited acts while the ball is in the air.
Offensive pass interference rules apply from the time the ball is snapped until the ball is touched. See Article 2 for prohibited acts while the ball is in the air and Article 4 for prohibited acts prior to the pass.
Penalty: For pass interference by the defense: First down for the offensive team and 15- yard penalty from the previous spot. In the event of an intentional and egregious foul, first down for the offensive team at the spot of the foul. If the interference is also a personal foul (12-2), the 15-yard penalty for such a foul is also enforced, either from the spot of the foul (for interference), or from the end of the run if the foul for pass interference is declined. If the interference is behind the defensive goal line, it is first down for the offensive team on the defense’s one-yard line, or, if the previous spot was inside the two-yard line, halfway between the previous spot and the goal line.
Penalty: For pass interference by the offense: Loss of 10 yards from the previous spot.
Submitted by New York Jets
Effect: Changes the enforcement of defensive pass interference penalties from the spot of the foul to a 15-yard penalty unless the foul is determined to be intentional and egregious by the officiating crew.
Reason: To reduce the severity of the penalty for defensive pass interference.
2018 PLAYING RULE PROPOSAL NO. 7
Amend Rule 15, Section 2, Article 2 (Replay Official’s Request for Review, pg. 65) (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):
ARTICLE 2. REPLAY OFFICIAL’S REQUEST FOR REVIEW. A Replay Review will be initiated by a Replay Official from a Replay Booth comparable to the location of the coaches’ booth or Press Box when the on-field ruling is: (a) a score for either team; (b) an interception; (c) a fumble or backward pass that is recovered by an opponent or goes out of bounds through an opponent’s end zone; (d) a muffed scrimmage kick recovered by the kicking team; (e) after the two-minute warning of each half; and (f) throughout any overtime period.
There is no limit to the number of Replay Reviews that may be initiated by the Replay Official. The Replay Official’s ability to initiate a review will be unrelated to the number of timeouts that either team has remaining, and no timeout will be charged for any review initiated by the Replay Official. The Replay Official must initiate a review before the ball is next legally put in play.
The Replay Official and designated members of the Officiating department at the League office may consult with the on-field officials to provide information on the correct application of playing rules, including appropriate assessment of penalty yardage, proper down, and status of the game clock. In addition, if the designated member of the Officiating department determines that a foul for a non-football act called on the field is flagrant, then they can instruct the on-field officiating crew to disqualify the player(s) who committed the foul. Those players who were not penalized, but who engaged in non-football acts that were determined to be flagrant and directly related to the foul called on the field, may also be disqualified by the designated member of the Officiating department. The determination that a foul is flagrant must be based on the available video provided on the television broadcast and the designated member of the Officiating department must instruct the officiating crew to disqualify the identified player(s) before the ball is next legally put in play. The Officiating department does not have the authority to instruct the on-field game officials to assess a penalty against a player.
Submitted by Competition Committee
Effect: Authorizes the designated member of the Officiating department to instruct on-field game officials to disqualify a player for a flagrant non-football act when a foul for that act is called on the field.
Reason: Integrity of the game.
2018 PLAYING RULE PROPOSAL NO. 8
Amend Rule 15, Section 2, Article 1 (Coaches’ Challenge, pg. 65) (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):
ARTICLE 1. COACHES’ CHALLENGE. In each game, a team will be permitted two challenges that will initiate Instant Replay reviews. The Head Coach will initiate a challenge by throwing a red flag onto the field of play before the next legal snap or kick. If there is a television break prior to the next legal snap or kick, a 40-second play clock will start at the Game Official’s signal indicating a television timeout, and the Head Coach will have until the expiration of the 40second play clock to throw his challenge flag. Each challenge will require the use of a team timeout. If a challenge is upheld, the timeout will be restored. A challenge will only be restored if a team is successful on both of its challenges, in which case it shall be awarded a third challenge, but a fourth challenge will not be permitted under any circumstances.
A team may challenge any reviewable play identified in Article 5 below, except when the on-field ruling is: (a) a score for either team; (b) an interception; (c) a fumble or backward pass that is recovered by an opponent or goes out of bounds through an opponent’s end zone; or (d) a muffed scrimmage kick recovered by the kicking team.
A team may not challenge a reviewable play: (a) after the two-minute warning of each half; (b) throughout any overtime period; (c) after committing a foul that delays the next snap; and (d) after exhausting all of its challenges or timeouts.
If a team initiates a challenge when it is not permitted to do so, it will be charged a timeout. Penalty: For initiating a challenge when a team has exhausted its timeouts: Loss of 15 yards.
Submitted by Competition Committee
Effect: Conforms the amount of time in which a team must challenge a play if there is a television commercial break following the play in question.
Reason: Pace of play.
2018 PLAYING RULE PROPOSAL NO. 9
Amend Rule 4, Section 8, Article 2 (Period Extended, pg. 16) (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):
ARTICLE 2. PERIOD EXTENDED. At the election of the opponent, a period may be extended for one untimed down, if any of the following occurs during a down during which time in the period expires:
(a) If there is a live-ball foul by the defensive team that is accepted, the offensive team may choose to extend the period by an untimed down after enforcement of the penalty. If the first or third period is not so extended, any accepted penalty is enforced before the start of the succeeding period. (b) If there is a foul by the offense, there shall be no extension of the period. If the foul occurs on the last play of the half, a score by the offense is not counted. However, the period may be extended for an untimed down, upon the request of the defense, if the offensive team’s foul is for: (1) illegal touching of a kick; Note: The period may also be extended for a “first touching” violation. (2) air-catch interference; (3) a palpably unfair act; (4) a personal foul or unsportsmanlike conduct foul committed prior to a safety, an interception of a forward pass, the recovery of a backward pass or fumble, or the offensive team failing to reach the line to gain on fourth down; or (5) a foul by the kicking team prior to a player of the receiving team securing possession of the ball during a down in which there is a safety kick, a scrimmage kick, or a free kick. (c) If a touchdown is made on the last play of a period, the Try attempt shall be made (except during a sudden-death period or the end of regulation of a game if the touchdown scored on the last play was the winning score). (d) If no fair-catch signal is given and the kickers interfere with the receiver’s opportunity to catch a kick, the receiving team may extend the period by a down from scrimmage. (e) If a fair-catch is signaled and made, the receivers may choose to extend the period by a faircatch kick down (10-2-4-a). If the first or third period is not so extended, the receivers may start the succeeding period by either a down from scrimmage or fair-catch kick (11-4-3). (f) If a fair catch is signaled and the kickers interfere with a receiver’s opportunity to catch a kick, the receiving team may extend the period by either a down from scrimmage or a fair-catch kick (10-2-4-a). (g) If a safety results from a foul during the last play of a half, the score counts. A safety kick is made if requested by the receivers.
Submitted by Competition Committee
Effect: Eliminate the requirement that a team who scores a winning touchdown at the end of regulation of a game to kick the extra point or go for two-point conversion.
Reason: Pace of Play.
2018 PLAYING RULE PROPOSAL NO. 10
Amend Rule 16, Section 1, Article 3 (Extra Period, pg. 67) (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):
ARTICLE 3. EXTRA PERIOD. Following an intermission of no more than three minutes after the end of the regular game, the extra period shall commence. (a) Both teams must have the opportunity to possess the ball once during the extra period, unless the team that receives the opening kickoff scores a touchdown on its initial possession, in which case it is the winner, or if the team kicking off to start the overtime period scores a safety on the receiving team’s initial possession, in which case the team that kicked off is the winner. If a touchdown is scored, the game is over, and the Try is not attempted. (b) If the team that possesses the ball first does not score on its initial possession, the team next scoring by any method shall be the winner. (c) If the team that possesses the ball first scores a field goal on its initial possession, the other team (the second team) shall have the opportunity to possess the ball. (1) If the second team scores a touchdown on its possession, it is the winner. (2) If the second team scores a field goal on its possession, the team next scoring by any method shall be the winner. (3) If the second team does not score on its possession, the game is over, and the first team is the winner, subject to (4) below. (4) If the second team loses possession by an interception or fumble, the down will be permitted to run to its conclusion, and all rules of the game will be enforced as customary, including awarding points scored by either team during the down. If the second team scores a touchdown on the down after re-gaining possession, it is the winner. Only fouls that require the down to be replayed, fouls that negate a score, or palpably unfair acts will be enforced. Notes: (1) If the second team loses possession by an interception or fumble, the down will be permitted to run to its conclusion but if the second team’s possession has legally ended with the fumble recovery or interception, any subsequent action will not affect the outcome of the game. (2) Fouls by one or both teams after the change of possession, or a subsequent loss of possession by the team that intercepted the pass or recovered the ball, cannot change the result, (3) (1) In such situations, if the player who intercepts the pass or recovers the fumble goes to the ground and makes no effort to advance, the covering official will blow his whistle to end the game. (4) (2) If the second team loses possession by an interception or fumble, but the first team committed a foul prior to the change of possession, the second team’s possession has
not legally ended, and the game cannot end on the down. However, in certain situations, the second team cannot decline the penalty and accept the result of the play, no matter how beneficial, because it would create a second possession for itself. It must accept the penalty enforcement, which will extend its initial possession. (5) (3) The situation in (4) (2) may also affect the team that receives the opening kickoff during its first possession. If there is a foul by the second team followed by a double change of possession, and the first team declines the penalty and accepts the result of the play, the second team has had its required possession, and the first team has possession of the ball for the second time and needs only a field goal to win. However, if it accepts the penalty, it will extend its initial possession. (d) A player is in possession when he is in firm grip and control of the ball inbounds (3-2-7). The defense gains possession when it catches, intercepts, or recovers a loose ball. (e) The opportunity to possess applies only during kicking plays. A kickoff is the opportunity to possess for the receiving team. If the kicking team legally recovers the kick, the receiving team is considered to have had its opportunity. A punt or field goal attempt that crosses the line of scrimmage and is muffed by the receiving team is considered to be an opportunity to possess for the receiving team. Normal touching rules by the kicking team apply. (f) All replay reviews will be initiated by the Replay Official. Coaches’ challenges will not be allowed.
Submitted by Competition Committee
Effect: If there is a turnover, a team may win an overtime game, even though it scores on its second possession.
Reason: The game should not end until a down has been concluded.
2018 Bylaw Proposals
1. By Competition Committee; Makes permanent the liberalization of rules for timing, testing, and administering physical examinations to draft-eligible players at a club’s facility.
2. By Buffalo; For one year only, amends Article XVII, Section 17.4 to liberalize the rule for reacquisition of a player assigned via waivers.
3. By Buffalo; For one year only, amends Article XVII, Section 17.6 to liberalize the procedures for players placed on Reserve/Retired.
4. By Denver; Amends Article XVII, Section 17.16 to permit clubs to trade players from Reserve/Injured.
5. By Miami; Amends Article XVII, Section 17.1 to remove the requirement that a non-vested player be placed on waivers to be removed from the 90-player roster prior to the roster reduction to 53 players.
6. By Minnesota; Amends Article XVIII, Section 18.1 to replace the 10-day postseason claiming period with a 24-hour period.
7. By San Francisco, Arizona, and Los Angeles Chargers; Reduces the competitive equity that exists between teams who have morning body clock start times on long road trips.
8. By Competition Committee; Permits coaches to review video displayed on Leagueissued tablets on the sidelines and in the coaches’ booth.
9. By Competition Committee; A player who is designated for return is eligible to be activated after eight games, not eight weeks.
10. By Competition Committee; Lengthens the period to execute an Injury Settlement from five business days to seven business days.
11. By Competition Committee; Changes the deadline to reinstate players from certain Reserve List categories.
12. By Competition Committee; Updates Reserve/Military List procedures to reflect the current League calendar.
2018 BYLAW PROPOSAL NO. 1
Amends Article XIV, Section 14.8 of the Constitution and Bylaws to reflect the following (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):
Contact With Draft-Eligibles
14.8 The following rules govern club contact with draft-eligible players:
(A) Clubs may time, conduct on-field tests, interview, and administer written tests to draft-eligible players only at the following sites and subject to the following conditions (see (B)(3)(e) below for exceptions for interviews and written tests):
(1) League-approved workouts administered by scouting organizations of which NFL clubs are members. A maximum of one such workout per year (preferably in late January February or early February March) will be held at a central location over several consecutive days, provided, however, that the scheduling for such workouts will, where possible, make full use of weekend days to minimize the participants’ midweek absence from their campuses, and further provided that best efforts will be made to limit each individual player’s participation in the workouts to a three-day period that will allow him to attend classes the first day, travel to the workout site that afternoon or evening, participate in a full day of timing and testing (and/or medical examination) on the second day, and travel home on the third day after a half-day of participation at the workouts.
Players who have been invited to the League-approved session shall not be timed or tested at their residence or college campus at any location until after the completion of the League-approved session.
(2) The metropolitan area of the city in which the player’s college is located, defined as including only the contiguous suburbs of such city. (NFL clubs located in such areas may use their own facilities for the timing and testing if they wish.)
(a) Where possible, all in-season visits to campuses by NFL club representatives (including employees of scouting organizations of which NFL clubs are members) will be by appointment with advance notice to each college’s designated professional football
liaison. NFL representatives will adhere to the colleges’ individual policies concerning open or closed practice sessions.
(b) Each NFL club and each NFL scouting organization will designate one person authorized to discuss injury or rehabilitation information with a college trainer during the season. College trainers will be asked to fill out a physical-status form on each of his team’s drafteligible players in late summer and an updated form, if warranted, after the college season is completed. These forms, developed by the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society and approved by the member clubs and scouting organizations, constitute the only demands that representatives of the NFL clubs or scouting organizations will make on college trainers each year.
(c) For off-season visits to campuses, NFL representatives must make every effort to work out draft-eligible players only on days of the week designated by the college involved. NFL representatives would continue to be allowed to attend professional football timing days scheduled in the spring by colleges for all players, including non-draft-eligibles.
(d) If an NFL club is conducting on-field tests for five or more drafteligible players at a single site outside of its home city on any day, notification of such tests must be provided to the Player Personnel Department of the League office and posted on the NFL website no later than three business days prior to the date of the tests, and all NFL clubs will be permitted to attend such on-field testing. This prohibition does not apply to interviews, electronic testing, or psychological testing.
(3) The campus of any college located in the same state as the player’s college, provided that the player is attending a school in NCAA Division I-AA, II, or III, an NAIA school, or a junior college. In such cases, the player is permitted to be timed, tested, and interviewed only on a school’s Pro Day, and only if he has received permission from a school’s Pro Liaison.
(4) The metropolitan area of the city in which the player lives, defined as including only the contiguous suburbs of such city. (NFL clubs located in such areas may use their own facilities for the timing and testing if they wish.) If a draft-eligible player establishes a residence in another city (e.g., lease on an apartment), NFL clubs will be permitted to send
their scouts to such cities for purposes of timing and testing. If a drafteligible player establishes a residence in another city and becomes part of a “camp,” involving other players, NFL clubs are prohibited from timing and testing such players at a “camp,” observing the sessions of the “camp,” or otherwise participating in it.
(a) If an NFL club is conducting on-field tests for five or more drafteligible players at a single site outside of its home city on any day, notification of such tests must be provided to the Player Personnel department of the League office and posted on the NFL website no later than three business days prior to the date of the tests, and all NFL clubs will be permitted to attend such on-field testing. This prohibition does not apply to interviews, electronic testing, or psychological testing.
(5) College postseason all-star game practice sessions, provided that the players are participants in the all-star game. Players who are not participants are prohibited from such activities.
(6) At the club’s facility if:
(a) The player’s campus or residence is located within a 50-mile radius of the club’s permanent facility and/or within the contiguous suburbs of the club’s home city;
(b) The player attends one of the three FBS schools, including at least one that is a member of a Power Five conference, as assigned by the Player Personnel department of the League office. Proximity to the club’s facility (measured by driving distance) will be the primary, but not sole, factor for selecting schools.
However, such draft-eligible players are not eligible to be timed and tested on-field at the club’s facility if the club provides transportation and/or lodging for the visit. Players for whom the club provides transportation and/or lodging are limited to a physical examination, interview, and written tests, subject to the procedure in 14.8 (B)(3). The League office must be notified of any visit to the club’s facility prior to its completion.
Furthermore, no draft-eligible player may be brought into a club’s facility or home-city area during the period beginning on the
seventh day preceding the Principal Draft through and including the final day of the Draft.
(7) At NFL Regional and Super Regional Combines-type events operated by the NFL Football Operations department.
(B) Clubs may administer medical examinations to draft-eligible players under the following rules:
(1) At League-approved workouts administered by scouting organizations of which NFL clubs are members (see (A)(1) above);
(2) At a maximum of one League-wide follow-up session per year scheduled at a central location approximately two to three weeks before the annual college draft. This session would be for physical examinations only and would include no physical activity, such as onfield drills, weightlifting, and performance tests. Players invited to this follow-up session would be from the following categories:
(a) Those designated by team physicians at the earlier timing and testing session as requiring further physical examination closer to the draft;
(b) Those invited to the earlier workouts but who did not attend;
(c) Those subject to an occurrence that changes their physical or eligibility status;
(d) Others agreed upon by the scouting organizations.
(3) At the club’s facilities or any other location, including the player’s campus, provided that no draft-eligible player may be brought into a club’s facilities, or home-city area, or any other location before the time of the initial League-wide session (see (A)(1) above); further provided that clubs will be limited to examining at the club’s facilities or elsewhere in the club’s home-city area, or at any other location, a maximum of thirty (30) players; and further provided that clubs located in the same franchise area are prohibited from combining their allotments of players under the permissible 30 per club to create a larger number for each. Despite the foregoing, a club may, after the initial League-wide session, administer physical examinations at its facilities
or elsewhere in its home-city area to an unlimited number of drafteligible players who reside or attend college in the metropolitan area of the club’s facility. whose campus or residence is located within a 50-mile radius of the club’s permanent facility and/or within the contiguous suburbs of the club’s home-city area; or whose college is one of the three FBS schools, including at least one that is a member of a Power Five conference, as assigned by the Player Personnel department of the League office. Proximity to the club’s facility, (measured by driving distance), will be the primary, but not sole, factor for selecting schools. All medical examinations of draft-eligible players administered by individual clubs in their home-city areas or any other location must be administered under the following rules:
(a) Duration of each examination is limited to one day;
(b) Examination must not include physical activity of any kind. (A Cybex test is considered part of an orthopedic examination and is permitted);
(c) Examination must be after the completion of all football games, including postseason bowl games, in which the player is to participate as a player for his school;
(d) The League office must be notified of all such examinations before they are administered; and
(e) Interviews and written tests may be conducted during the visit for the physical examination.
(C) A physical examination is the only permissible reason for a member club to bring a draft-eligible player into its city and/or training facilities before the draft of that year.
(D) During the period from one week before the annual draft up to and including the final day of the draft, no club is permitted to transport or sponsor the transport of a draft-eligible player to its offices, workout facilities, home city, or other site without prior permission of the Commissioner, even if the player’s campus or residence is located in the same metropolitan area as the club’s facility; and no club is permitted during the same period to house a draft-eligible player at any site, including sites within his home city. Medical examinations may be administered by clubs during this one-week
period at the player’s home city or the city in which his college is located, whichever is applicable.
(E) In no circumstances under (A) and (B) above is a club permitted to give or offer to give, directly or indirectly, a draft-eligible player anything of significant value beyond necessary transportation and lodging expenses. Club souvenirs and similar items are permissible. With respect to transportation paid for or arranged for free agents who are not selected in the draft, such payments or arrangements may not be made until the final round of the draft is completed.
(F) If a player is draft-eligible for a given draft by not having signed with the club that selected him in the immediate prior draft, no club in the League except the original drafting club may time, test, examine, or otherwise contact such player without permission of the original drafting club up until the time he is selected by another club unless the player is not selected in a subsequent draft for which he is eligible. Any such contact may subject the contacting club to League tampering prohibitions (see Section 9.2).
See also CBA, including Article 7 (College Draft)
Submitted by Competition Committee
Effect: Makes permanent the liberalization of rules for timing, testing, and administering physical examinations to draft-eligible players at a club’s facility.
Reason: Makes the college scouting process more equitable for all clubs.
Schools in Metropolitan Area of Clubs’ Facility (As assigned by NFL Player Personnel)
Power 5 Schools in BOLD NFL Club
Current Local FBS Colleges Current FBS/Club
Local FBS Colleges in New System (all have 3) Duplicate Schools (w/ service academies)
1.1 School Count
ARZ
Arizona State 1
Arizona Penn State 5 Arizona State Army 3 UNLV Navy 3
ATL
Georgia State Georgia Tech 2
Georgia Rutgers 3 Georgia State Temple 3 Georgia Tech California 2
BLT
Maryland 1
Maryland Central Florida 2 Penn State (Navy) Florida 2 Virginia Kent State 2
BUF
Buffalo 1
Buffalo Maryland 2 Penn State Northern Illinois 2 Syracuse Northwestern 2
CAR
Charlotte 1
Charlotte Ohio State 2 South Carolina San Diego State 2 Wake Forest San Jose State 2
CHI
Northwestern 1
Northwestern Stanford 2 Northern Illinois UCLA 2 Notre Dame USC 2
CIN
Cincinnati 1
Cincinnati Virginia 2 Ohio State West Virginia 2 Miami (OH) Wisconsin 2
CLV
- 0
Akron Kent State Ohio State
DAL
SMU TCU 2
North Texas Southern Methodist Texas Christian
DEN
- 0
Colorado Colorado State Wyoming (Air Force)
DET
- 0
Eastern Michigan Michigan Toledo
NFL Club Current Local FBS Colleges Current FBS/Club Local FBS Colleges in New System (all have 3)
GB
- 0
Northern Illinois Northwestern Wisconsin
HST
Houston Rice 2
Houston Rice Texas A&M
IND
- 0
Illinois Indiana Purdue
JAX
- 0
Central Florida Florida Florida State
KC
- 0
Kansas Kansas State Missouri
LA
UCLA USC 2
San Diego State UCLA USC
LAC
UCLA
2
San Diego State USC UCLA USC
MIA
Florida Atlantic Florida International Miami 3
Florida Atlantic Florida International Miami
MIN
Minnesota 1
Iowa State Minnesota Wisconsin
NE
Boston College 1
Boston College Connecticut (Army) Massachusetts
NO
Tulane 1
Louisiana State Southern Mississippi Tulane
NYG
Rutgers 1
Penn State (Army) Rutgers Temple
NYJ
Rutgers 1
Penn State (Army) Rutgers Temple
NFL Club Current Local FBS Colleges Current FBS/Club Local FBS Colleges in New System (all have 3)
OAK
California San Jose State Stanford
3
California San Jose State Stanford
PHI
Temple 1
Penn State (Navy) Rutgers Temple
PIT
Pittsburgh 1
Kent State Pittsburgh West Virginia
SF
California San Jose State Stanford
3
California San Jose State Stanford
SEA
Washington 1
Oregon Oregon State Washington
TB
South Florida 1
Central Florida Florida South Florida
TEN
Vanderbilt Middle Tennessee 2
Middle Tennessee Vanderbilt Western Kentucky
WAS
Maryland 1
Maryland Virginia West Virginia (Navy)
2018 BYLAW PROPOSAL NO. 2
For one year only, amends Article XVII, Section 17.4 of the Constitution and Bylaws to reflect the following (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):
Reacquisition of Players
17.4 (C) A player who has been traded or assigned via waivers cannot return to the club that took such action until two seasons, including the season of the year in which he left the club, have elapsed, unless one of the following exceptions applies:
Reacquiring Traded Player
(1) Traded player must have been on the Active List of the assignee club, any club beyond the assignee club, or a combination thereof, for a minimum of four (4) regular season games, after which the original assignor club may reacquire the player by waiver assignment or free-agent signing. The four-game requirement specified herein may span two regular seasons if applicable; or
(2) Traded player must have been on the Active List of the assignee club, any club beyond the assignee club, or a combination thereof, for less than four (4) regular season games and must have been placed on waivers and terminated by the assignee club or any subsequent club, in which case the original assignor club may reacquire the player only by free-agent signing. The original assignor club under these circumstances must not reacquire such player by trade or assignment via waivers; or
(3) Traded player, before participating in any practice or game for the assignee club, must have reverted to the assignor club through conditions of a trade requiring his reporting to or passing the physical examination of the assignee club, or through a condition requiring him to execute a previously agreed-upon contract with the assignee club within a period of time agreed upon by the clubs, but in no event longer than three business days after the trade has been approved by the Commissioner.
Reacquiring Player Assigned Via Waivers
(4) If a player is assigned via waivers, the original assignor club may reacquire the player by free agent signing at any time, subject to other rules in this Constitution and Bylaws or the rules of the League; or
(5) Player assigned via waivers must have been on the Active List of the assignee club or any club beyond the assignee club for at least one regular season game, after which the original assignor club may reacquire the player by waiver assignment; or
(4) (6) Player assigned via waivers must have been on the Active List of the assignee club, any club beyond the assignee club, or a combination thereof, for a minimum of four (4) games while a player limit is in effect (preseason or regular season games, or a combination thereof), after which the original assignor club may reacquire the player by trade., waiver assignment, or free-agent signing. The fourgame requirement specified herein may span two seasons if applicable
(5) Player assigned via waivers must have been on the Active List of the assignee club, any club beyond the assignee club, or a combination thereof, for less than four (4) games while a player limit is in effect (preseason or regular season games, or a combination thereof) and must have been placed on waivers and terminated by such assignee club or any subsequent club, in which case the original assignor club may reacquire the player only by free-agent signing. The original assignor club under these circumstances must not reacquire such player by trade or assignment via waivers.
Reacquiring Terminated Player
(1) There are no restrictions on reacquiring, in the same or a subsequent season, players who have been terminated via the waiver system, subject to restrictions that may appear in other parts of this Constitution and Bylaws.
Evasion of Reacquisition Rules
(2) Any evasion of the rules covering reacquisition of players, including but not limited to procedures by a club to place a player on another club’s roster in order to evade the former club’s player limit, will result in appropriate discipline by the Commissioner against all involved clubs that are proven to have taken part in such maneuvers with prior knowledge of the evasion.
(D) No player who opts for free agency under the waiver system section of the Collective Bargaining Agreement can re-sign with the same club in the same season or in the following season.
Submitted by Buffalo
Effect: For one year only, liberalizes the rule for reacquisition of a player assigned via waivers.
Reason: Permits more access to players.
2018 BYLAW PROPOSAL NO. 3
For one year only, amends Article XVII, Section 17.6 of the Constitution and Bylaws to reflect the following (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):
Reserve List Limitations
17.6 (A) Unless this Constitution and Bylaws provides otherwise, any player on the Active List of the club who reports to the club for training camp and is thereafter placed on the Reserve List by reasons other than military service may not play with his club for the balance of that preseason or regular season unless Procedural Recall waivers have been asked on such player, which waivers may not be recalled; provided, however, that if such player becomes an active player with another club and such other club thereafter asks waivers on him, and he is either claimed, released on waivers, or plays with another club in its league in that season, then the original club is entitled to restore such player to its Active List if it acquires him in a manner permitted by this Constitution and Bylaws or the rules of the League. If another club acquires such player from the Reserve List of another the original club by means of a trade, following the establishment of 75 active players, such player cannot may play for the acquiring club, which is not required to request Procedural Recall waivers for such player. for the balance of that season unless the acquiring club waives such player without recall.
Submitted by Buffalo
Effect: For one year only, liberalizes the procedures for players placed on Reserve/Retired.
Reason: Provides clubs an additional option when a player returns from Reserve/Retired.
2018 BYLAW PROPOSAL NO. 4
Amends Article XVII, Section 17.16 of the Constitution and Bylaws to reflect the following (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):
Reserve/Injured
17.16 The following rules govern Reserve/Injured:
(K) Trading From Reserve/Injured. Players on Reserve/Injured may not be traded. The acquiring club may designate the player for return to its Active List, provided the trading club placed the player on its Reserve/Injured List after 4:00 p.m., New York time, on or after the day after the roster reduction to 53 players, and all other applicable Player Personnel Rules have been met.
Submitted by Denver
Effect: Permits clubs to trade players who are on Reserve/Injured.
Reason: Roster flexibility.
2018 BYLAW PROPOSAL NO. 5
Amends Article XVII, Section 17.1 of the Constitution and Bylaws to reflect the following (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):
Cutdowns and Player Limits
17.1 (A) Subject to paragraphs (B) through (D) of this Section 17.1, clubs will be limited to a year-round roster limit of 90 players on the following combined lists: Active, Inactive, Practice Squad, and Exempt, and the following Reserve Lists: Injured, Physically Unable to Perform, Non-Football Illness, Non-Football Injury, Suspended (for less than one year), Future, Drafted-Unsigned, Exclusive Rights, First Refusal Rights, Unrestricted Free Agents with an individually negotiated right of first refusal, Franchise, and Transition.
The 90-player limit will not include any players on the following lists: Reserve/Retired, Reserve/Did Not Report, Reserve/Left Squad, Reserve/Military, Reserve/Unrestricted Free Agents, unsigned Veteran Free Agents, and players who have been declared ineligible to participate (suspended) by the Commissioner (for more than one year).
(B) Any players placed on Reserve/Injured prior to the roster reduction to 75 players on the Active List will not count on the club’s overall roster limit of 90 players, provided that the club requested waivers on the player with the designation “injured” and placed the player on Reserve/Injured immediately after the expiration of the claiming period and provided that all such players will count on the club’s overall 90-man roster limit after 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the day of the cutdown to 75 players.
(B) Prior to the roster reduction to 53 players on the Active List, any non-vested player who is placed on Reserve/Injured with a “major” injury, or any vested player who is placed on Reserve/Injured with a “major” or “minor” injury will not count on the club’s overall roster limit of 90 players.
Players placed on Reserve/Injured with a “minor” injury shall not count on the club’s overall roster limit of 90 players, provided that the club requested waivers on the player with the designation “injured” and placed the player on Reserve/Injured immediately after the expiration of the claiming period.
All such players will count on the club’s overall 90-man roster limit after 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the day of the cutdown to 75 53 players.
Submitted by Miami
Effect: Removes the requirement that a non-vested player must be placed on waivers to be removed from the 90-player roster prior to the roster reduction to 53 players.
Reason: Provides roster spots during the preseason.
2018 BYLAW PROPOSAL NO. 6
Amends Article XVIII, Section 18.1 of the Constitution and Bylaws to reflect the following (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):
Claiming Period
18.1 (B) Clubs may claim a player placed on waivers by notifying the Commissioner within the claiming period. Clubs may file claims on players for whom waivers have been requested beginning at 4:01 p.m., New York time, on the day such waivers are requested and ending at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on a subsequent date, pursuant to the following:
(1) For any waivers requested during the period commencing on the first business day after the Pro Bowl or the Super Bowl, whichever occurs later, through 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the Friday prior to the final regular season weekend, a 24-hour claiming period shall be in effect, except for waiver requests on Friday and Saturday of each week, which shall expire at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the following Monday. [Exception: During the two weekends preceding the first full weekend of preseason games, waivers requested on Friday will expire at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on Saturday; waivers requested on Saturday will expire at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on Sunday; and waivers requested on Sunday will expire at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on Monday.]
If the claiming period is scheduled to expire on a holiday, or such other day when the League office is not open for customary business, the claiming deadline shall be extended until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the next League business day.
Waivers requested on the Friday preceding the final regular season weekend shall expire at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on Saturday.
If any waiver request has been designated as Procedural Recall, the club requesting such waivers shall thereafter have an additional 24 hours to recall such waiver request.
(2) A claiming period of 10 calendar days shall be in effect for any waivers requested during the period from the Saturday of the final regular season weekend through the conclusion of the final postseason game, but the assignment or termination of any players will be deferred until the first business day after the Super Bowl game.
If the waiver request is within 10 calendar days of the first business day after the Super Bowl game, such claiming period will expire on the first business day after the Super Bowl game. A club that is not participating in the playoffs shall not request waivers on players after 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the Saturday of the final regular- season weekend, unless it is awarded a player via waivers on the Monday after its final regular season game and needs to create an opening on its roster for such player.
(2) A claiming period of 24 hours shall be in effect for any waivers requested during the period from the Saturday of the final regular season weekend through the conclusion of the final postseason game, except for waiver requests on Friday and Saturday of each week, which shall expire at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the following Monday.
a) Assignment of player contracts will be deferred until the first business day after the Pro Bowl or the Super Bowl, whichever occurs later.
b) Terminations of player contracts by a club that is still participating in the playoffs will occur at the expiration of the claiming period, but termination of player contracts of non-playoff clubs will be deferred until the first business day after the Pro Bowl or the Super Bowl, whichever occurs later.
c) A club that is still participating in the playoffs may sign players whose contracts have been terminated to the club’s Active/Inactive List, Practice Squad, or Reserve/Future List, and a club whose playing season has concluded may sign such players to its Reserve/Future List.
All waiver notices released by the Commissioner during the training or regular season shall be sent by NFLNet or facsimile.
The Commissioner shall notify each club in both conferences simultaneously of any waiver request in the manner prescribed above. Any club within the League may, upon request, secure from the Commissioner all available salary information on any player for whom waivers have been requested, which information shall be supplied prior to the time for the filing of any claim on such player.
Submitted by Minnesota
Effect: Replaces the 10-day postseason claiming period with a 24-hour period. Permits players who are waived by playoff clubs to be signed during the postseason.
Reason: Provides playoff teams with access to players.
2018 BYLAW PROPOSAL NO. 7
Amend Article XIII, Section 13.2 of the Constitution and Bylaws (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):
The following conditions shall govern and apply in drafting of the schedule each year, namely,
(A) Whenever reference is made to a Green Bay home game, it is understood that such home game may be scheduled at either Green Bay or Milwaukee, subject to the approval of the Commissioner.
(B) Without the consent of the affected clubs, neither the New York Giants, the New York Jets, nor the San Francisco 49ers shall be required to play more regular season home games on the road than at home.
(C) The San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders will not be required to play any regular season game at home on the same day without the consent of both clubs.
(D) The Commissioner will apply the following policies in preparing the official League regular season schedule beginning in 2002:
(1) Each team will play home and home with all division opponents (6 games).
(2) Each team in a division will play one other division within the on annual rotation of divisions (4 games).
(E) Without the consent of the affected clubs, no team will be scheduled to play more than three (3) away games with a scheduled kickoff time prior to 1:00pm in the time zone of their home stadium.
Submitted jointly by San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers
Effect: Reduce the competitive equity that exists between teams who have morning body clock start times on long road trips. With three teams each potentially playing four such games this season, the immediate impact would be up to three total games played in the Eastern or Central time zone being allocated to the late afternoon slot if they were not selected by the networks to be there already. In some years each Pacific team has 5 or 6 potential morning body clock games.
Reason: Current scheduling rules can result in a single team playing up to 6 away games with an inherent disadvantage while their divisional opponents may only have 1 such game. Playing in the early Sunday time slot after long travel reduces the win rate for the road team from 45.2% to 33.5%.
2018 BYLAW PROPOSAL NO. 8
Amend Article IX, Section 9.1 (C) (14) of the Constitution and Bylaws to reflect the following (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):
Conflicting Interests and Prohibited Conduct
19.1 (C) No member, nor any stockholder, director, officer, partner, or employee thereof, or person holding an interest therein, nor any officer or employee of the League shall:
(14) Use at any time, from the start to the finish of any game in which a club is a participant, any communications or information gathering equipment, other than Polaroid-type cameras, or field telephones, or a League-approved coaches’ video system on a League-issued tablet, including without limitation videotape machines, telephone tapping or bugging devices, or any other form of electronic device that might aid a team during the playing of a game;
Submitted by Competition Committee
Effect: Permits coaches to review video displayed on League-issued tablets on the sidelines and in the coaches’ booth.
Reason: Technology advancement.
2018 BYLAW PROPOSAL NO. 9
Amend Article XVII, Section 17.16 (C) of the Constitution and Bylaws to reflect the following (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):
Reserve/Injured
17.16 The following rules govern Reserve/Injured:
(C) Designated Free Activation from Reserve Injured and Reserve NonFootball Injury/Illness. During each season a team will be permitted to return two players from either the Reserve/Injured or the Reserve/NonFootball Injury/Illness List to its 53-player Active/Inactive List. Such players must have suffered a major football-related injury or non-footballrelated injury or illness (defined as an injury that renders the player physically unable to practice or play football for a period of at least six weeks [42 calendar days] from the date that the injury or illness occurred) after reporting to training camp and must have been placed on the applicable ReserveList after 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the day after the final roster reduction. A player who is eligible to return must be noted as “Designated for Return” on the first day that he returns to practice.
A player is ineligible to practice until six weeks have elapsed since the date he was placed on Reserve, and is not eligible to return to the Active/Inactive List until eight weeks have elapsed since the date he was placed on Reserve. The business day (prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time) that aplayer is placed on Reserve counts as the first day.
At any time after the conclusion of the sixth week that a player has been on Reserve/Injured or Reserve/Non-Football Injury/Illness, a club is permitted to return him to practice for a period not to exceed 21 calendar days, provided that the club has notified the Player Personnel department of the League office that the player has been Designated for Return, which information shall be promulgated to clubs on that day’s Personnel Notice. Provided that the player has been on Reserve/Injured or Reserve/NonFootball Injury/Illness for at least eight weeks games from the date he was placed on Reserve, a club is permitted to return him to its Active/Inactive List at any time during the 21-day practice period, or prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the day after the conclusion of the 21-day period. After a club has designated two players for return from its applicable Reserve
List, no other players on Reserve/Injured or Reserve/Non-Football Injury/Illness shall be permitted to practice or to return to the club’s 53player Active/Inactive List.
If a player is not returned to the Active/Inactive List prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the day after the conclusion of the 21-day period, he is not eligible to return to that club’s Active/Inactive List for the remainder of the season and postseason. If the club elects to continue to carry the player on Reserve/Injured or Reserve Non-Football Injury/Illness, whichever is applicable, the player shall not be permitted to practice or to participate in team or individual drills (contact or non-contact) during the remainder of the season, including postseason. Such players are limited to non-contact rehabilitative work under the supervision of the club’s trainer or physician. Pads and helmets are prohibited during such rehabilitative activities. Such players are permitted to attend team meetings, and may also attend, but not participate in, practice sessions.
Submitted by Competition Committee
Effect: A player who is designated for return is eligible to be activated after eight games, not eight weeks.
Reason: Under the current rule, some clubs can activate a player after their seventh game, while others cannot activate the player until after their eighth game.
2018 BYLAW PROPOSAL NO. 10
Amend Article XVII, Section 17.16 (K) of the Constitution and Bylaws to reflect the following (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):
Reserve/Injured
17.16 The following rules govern Reserve/Injured:
(K) Settlements. Any financial settlement agreed to between a club and player concerning an injury shall cover a fixed period of time and shall be reported in detail to the League office. Such player then shall be carried on the club’s Reserve/Injured list for the specified period covered by the settlement. Such listing must be for procedural purposes only, and the player must not practice with or be affiliated with the club in any way other than normal rehabilitation treatment. At the end of such specified period, the player must be placed on waivers.
Clubs also have the option of immediately requesting waivers on a player with whom they have negotiated a financial settlement. Any such waiver request shall carry the notation “Injury Settlement,” and any such financial settlement must be reported in detail to the League office and must specify that the agreement does not obviate the League’s waiver system. Players with whom a club has reached an injury settlement and for whom it has requested waivers (or terminated without waivers if the player had four or more pension-credited seasons) may not be reacquired by that club during the same season until a period of time has elapsed since the date of termination that is three regular or postseason games longer than the number of regular season games represented by the settlement (a bye week counts as a game). The above procedure shall also be applicable to a player who has been placed on Reserve/Injured or for whom a club has requested waivers with the designation “injured,” provided that no later than 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the fifth seventh business day after the date that the player was placed on Reserve/Injured or that waivers were requested, whichever occurs first, the club (1) executes and files an Injury Settlement with the League office, and (2) requests waivers for the player with the designation “Injury Settlement” (or terminates him without waivers if the player has four or more pension-credited seasons). A player for whom waivers have been requested pursuant to an injury settlement is permitted to be claimed, and any player terminated pursuant to an injury settlement is permitted to sign with any other club, subject to customary rules. Clubs are permitted to pay the settlement amount in weekly installments or in other
arrangements acceptable to player and club, provided that any amounts paid to the player are received no later than the last game represented by the settlement. Upon termination, such players are free agents and shall have no further contact with the club, other than a tryout and/or physical examination, until the date that they have become eligible to be re-signed by the club. The tryout and/or physical examination must be conducted within 14 days of the date that such players are eligible to be resigned.
For purposes of this rule, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays shall not be included in the five seven business days, even if the Player Personnel department is open for business and/or a Personnel Notice is transmitted on that day.
Submitted by Competition Committee
Effect: Lengthens the period to execute an Injury Settlement from five business days to seven business days.
Reason: Provides additional roster flexibility.
2018 BYLAW PROPOSAL NO. 11
Amend Article XVII, Section 17.13 of the Constitution and Bylaws to reflect the following (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):
Ineligible Players
17.13 All players in the categories of Reserve/Retired, Reserve/Did Not Report, and Reserve/Veteran Free Agent Asked to Re-Sign will continue to be are prohibited from being reinstated in the last 30 days of the regular season after the club’s game in Week 13 of the regular season. Additionally, no player in such category will be reinstated between the trading deadline of the applicable season and the normal 30day deadline a club’s game in Week 13 of the regular season, unless the club initiates the reinstatement request and the Commissioner approves it.
Submitted by Competition Committee
Effect: Changes the deadline to reinstate players from certain Reserve List categories.
Reason: Currently, the two teams that play on Thursday of Week 13 are permitted to reinstate eligible players after their 13th game, while the deadline is after the 12th game for the other 30 clubs.
VOTE DISPOSITION
2018 BYLAW PROPOSAL NO. 12
Amend Article XVII, Section 17.10 of the Constitution and Bylaws to reflect the following (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):
Military Service List
17.10 Any player on the Active List for the first regular season game who is thereafter inducted into the Armed Forces of the United States shall automatically be placed on the Reserve List of his club and shall not count in the Active Player limit of said club nor be permitted to play or practice with the club until his reinstatement to the Active List, subject to the provisions of Section 17.13 and Section 9.3(C)(4).
The following additional rules shall apply in respect to the military service of a player:
(A) No player who reports to his club after the commencement of training camp because of any reserve military obligations affecting such player need be counted on the Active Player roster of the club until he receives one (1) day’s practice for every day missed because of his military obligation, but not to exceed four (4) weeks, provided, however, if such player plays in one or more preseason games, he must be counted on the Active List.
(B) No player reporting to his club after October 15 the trading deadline in any year need be counted on the Active or Inactive List unless the club wishes to activate such player for a regular season game.
(C) Whenever a player reports to his team and thereafter is placed on military reserve to permit such player to fulfill the required two weeks of active military duty, such player shall be allowed one week following his return to the club before such player must be counted as an active player. However, if the club elects to play such player in any preseason or regular-season game, such player must be included on the Active List of such club.
(D) None of the privileges accorded under the provisions of this Section 17.10 shall apply to players having military service obligations of less than a period embracing fourteen (14) days.
(E) All clubs are obligated to notify the League office within forty-eight (48) hours of the time when any of its players are released from active military service and shall specify the date such player reported to the club. Failure of a club to comply with this provision will require the League office to treat the date such player was released from the service as the date when such player reported to the club.
(F) Any player under contract to a club for the current season, who is released from military service after October 15 the trading deadline and who reports to his club seeking reinstatement to the Active List, subject to the provisions of Section 17.13, under contract to the club for such season may be placed on the Inactive Exempt List of that club for the remainder of the regular season and postseason. and Such player may be named restored to the Active List of the club and participate in any Wild Card game, Divisional Playoff game, Conference Championship game, or Super Bowl game in accordance with the provisions of Section 20.6. Submitted by Competition Committee
Effect: Updates Reserve/Military List procedures to reflect the current League calendar.
Reason: Provides clarity to roster procedures for players with military obligations.
2018 Resolution Proposal
G-1. By Washington; Allows opposing teams to receive the League’s postgame responses to any officiating inquiries submitted by either team.
G-2. By San Francisco; Requires all NFL stadiums by 2021 to have three separate and permanent locker rooms to be exclusively designated for female football staff on game days as follows: game officials, home club staff members, and visiting club staff members.
G-4. By Competition Committee; Permits a club to negotiate and sign a head coach candidate during the postseason prior to the conclusion of the employer club’s season.
G-5. By Competition Committee; For one year only, permits an interested club to contact a Vested Veteran before clubs have been notified of the player’s termination via the Player Personnel Notice if (i) the players is not subject to the Waivers System and, (ii) the employer club has publicly announced the player’s release.
2018 RESOLUTION G-1
Amend current League practices regarding teams’ post-game officiating inquiries, such that the opposing teams in a game receive the League’s post-game responses to any officiating inquiries submitted by either team. Presently, a team receives the League’s response to its officiating inquiry, but does not receive the League’s response to its opponent’s officiating inquiry.
Submitted by Washington
Effect: Opposing teams receive the League’s post-game responses to any officiating inquiries submitted by either team.
Reason: Promotes better understanding of playing rules.
2018 RESOLUTION G-2
Amend the Policy Manual for Member Clubs: Game Operations to reflect the following:
Whereas, the Game Operations Manual requires that all clubs are responsible for providing adequate space to accommodate female football staff who may need to change and shower prior to, or following, their game day duties; and
Whereas, the number of female football personnel employed by Member Clubs and the NFL who require locker room space on game day continues to increase.
Be it Resolved, that on or before March 31, 2021, each stadium in which an NFL team plays the majority of its home game schedule shall include three (3) separate and permanent locker rooms to be exclusively designated for female football staff on game days as follows: game officials, home club staff members, and visiting club staff members. Each locker room shall include a minimum of three (3) lockers, three (3) partitioned private shower stalls, three (3) toilets, and three (3) sinks. Each locker room shall be located on the same level of the stadium as the male game officials’, home team, and visiting team locker rooms. Reasonable efforts must be made to locate all female staff locker rooms in close proximity to their equivalent male staff locker rooms.
Submitted by San Francisco
Effect: Requires all NFL stadia to have separate locker room space on game day for female staff and game officials.
Reason: Gender equality and privacy for female football staff.
2018 RESOLUTION G-4
Amend the Anti-Tampering Policy to reflect the following (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):
4. Non-Players.
(i) Assistant Coaches. The following rules shall govern situations involving assistant coaches.
(3) Postseason Procedures. The following postseason procedures shall apply if an inquiring club wishes to discuss its vacant head coaching position with an assistant coach whose employer club is participating in the playoffs:
(i) Head Coaching Positions. After the conclusion of an employer club’s final regular season game, Tthe owner or operating head of the inquiring club may contact the owner or operating head of the employer club to request written permission to discuss its head coaching position with an assistant coach.
(ii) Interview Restrictions. If the employer club elects to grant permission, the inquiring club may conduct one (1) interview with the assistant coach at any location acceptable to the employer club and at a time that is convenient for the employer club subject to the following rules:
a. for any club that has a bye in the Wild Card weekend, any interview of its coaches must be conducted prior to the conclusion of Wild Card games;
b. for any club that participates in a Wild Card game and advances to the Divisional Playoffs, any interview of its coaches must be conducted after the Wild Card games and prior to the conclusion of Divisional Playoff games;
c. an inquiring club is permitted only one interview with an assistant coach while his team is competing in the postseason, and there shall be no other direct or indirect contact between any employee or agent of the inquiring club and the assistant coach or any representative or agent of the assistant coach; and
c. no initial interviews may be requested nor granted after the Divisional Playoff weekend for any assistant coach whose team is still participating in the postseason. However, in any year in which there is at least a two-week break between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl, an assistant coach who (a) has previously interviewed for another club’s head coaching job and (b) whose current employer-club is participating in the Super Bowl may have a second interview with a club with which he has previously interviewed for an open head coach position provided that (1) the employer-club elects to grant permission for a second interview, and (2) the interview takes place at a time and location that is acceptable for the employer-club, but no later than the Sunday preceding the Super Bowl.
(iii) Signing Restrictions/Timing. Upon a club’s second interview with a head coach candidate (as described in (3)(ii)d. above), the club is permitted to negotiate terms of a contract with the candidate (and/or his representative) and to reach an agreement to execute a contract. No contract shall be executed and no agreement to execute a contract, or an announcement of a contract or of an agreement for employment, shall be permitted until after the conclusion of the employer club’s playing season. After permission to interview an employee has been granted, as described above, the inquiring club and the coach and/or his representative may initiate and complete contract negotiations. A contract may be signed and the signing may be publicly announced; however, the coach is prohibited from commencing duties with the hiring club until the Employer Club’s current season has concluded.
(iv) Grant of Permission/Effect. If a club elects to grant permission for one of its assistant coaches to interview for a head coaching position, it must grant permission to all inquiring clubs that seek to interview the assistant coach. Permission cannot be granted selectively.
(v) Other Assistant Coaches. If a club elects to grant permission for one of it’s a club’s assistant coaches to interview with an inquiring club or clubs, it may deny permission for another member of its staff, provided that the denial is applicable to all inquiring clubs.
Submitted by Competition Committee
Effect: Permits a club to negotiate and sign a head coach candidate during the postseason prior to the conclusion of the employer club’s season. Reason: Makes non-player hiring procedures more efficient and effective.
2018 RESOLUTION G-5
For one year only, amend the Anti-Tampering Policy to reflect the following (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):
3. Players.
(7) Players on Waivers. Clubs are not permitted to contact a player for whom waivers have been requested (including during the claiming period), or his representative, until they clubs have been notified of the player’s termination via the Player Personnel Notice (including during the claiming period). This prohibition includes contact with a Vested Veteran during the period in which the player is subject to the NFL Waivers System under Article 29, Section 1(a) of the CBA (i.e., his contract can be claimed by another club). If a club is contacted by a player for whom waivers have been requested, or his representative, during this period, the only permissible response by the club is to inform the player or his representative that under NFL rules the club is not permitted to speak to the player or his representative.
Note: A Vested Veteran whose contract is being terminated cannot be contacted by other clubs until they have received official notification on a Personnel Notice that such player’s contract has been terminated. Statements by the player, his representative, or the terminating club, media reports, and information appearing on a club’s website or at any other location are not official. Communicating with the player or his representative on the basis of such information is a violation of this policy. If the club is contacted by a player or his representative, prior to the publication of the Personnel Notice announcing the player’s contract termination, the only permissible response by the club is to inform the player or his representative that under NFL rules the club is not permitted to speak to the player or his representative.
Notwithstanding the above, during the period in which a Vested Veteran is not subject to NFL Waivers System under Article 29, Section1(a) of the CBA, an interested club may contact the player or his representative before clubs have received notification of the player’s termination via the Player Personnel Notice if, but only if, the prior club has officially announced via a press release, social media report, or other form of a public announcement that the player has been or will be released. Public or private statements made by the player or his representative, or private statements made by the prior club to an inquiring club, are not “official”
statements and cannot be relied up by an inquiring club as a defense to a charge of tampering. If a club is contacted by a Vested Veteran or his representative before the prior club has publicly announced that the player’s contract has been or will be terminated, the only permissible response by the contacted club is to inform the player or his representative that under NFL rules the club is not permitted to speak to the player or his representative.
Submitted by Competition Committee
Effect: For one year only, permits an interested club to contact a Vested Veteran before clubs have been notified of the player’s termination via the Player Personnel Notice if (i) the players is not subject to the Waivers System and, (ii) the employer club has publicly announced the player’s release. Reason: Eliminates confusion caused by public announcements about player terminations.
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