2026 Playing Rules, Bylaw and Resolution Proposals
The NFL shared the following playing rules, bylaw and resolution proposals for the 2026 season as submitted by the league’s competition committee and clubs.
The proposals are expected to be voted on by owners during the Annual League Meeting (March 29-April 1).
2026 Playing Rules Proposals Summary
1. By Competition Committee; to permit the kicking team to declare an onside kick at any
time during the game.
2. By Competition Committee; to eliminate the kicking team’s incentive to intentionally
kick the ball out of bounds when kicking off from the 50-yard line.
3. By Competition Committee; to modify the kickoff alignment requirements for the
receiving team players in the setup zone.
4. By Competition Committee; to allow League personnel to consult with on-field officials
when considering disqualifications for both flagrant football acts and non-football acts
without being called on the field.
5. By Competition Committee; for one year only, to allow the NFL Officiating Department
to correct clear and obvious misses made by on-field officials that impact the game, in
the event that there is a work stoppage involving the game officials represented by the
NFL Referees Association.
2026 Bylaw Proposals Summary
1. By Competition Committee; amends Article XVII, Section 17.1 of the Constitution and
Bylaws to permit the League office to adjust the procedures and related dates and
deadlines for the final roster reduction to accommodate an international game scheduled in
the first week of the regular season.
2. By Competition Committee; amends Article XVII, Section 18.1 (B) of the Constitution
and Bylaws to establish the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend as business days
to provide clubs with personnel notices during the first weekend after the roster reduction.
3. By Competition Committee; to permit players on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform to
begin a 21-day practice period after the club’s second game of the regular season.
2026 Resolution Proposals Summary
1. By Pittsburgh; to make permanent the change implemented during the 2025 season
that permits clubs to have one video or phone call with no more than five prospective
Unrestricted Free Agent during the Two-Day Negotiation Period, and to permit clubs
to make travel arrangements with such players upon agreeing to terms.
2. By Cleveland; to allow draft selections to be traded up to five (5) seasons in the
future.
2026 Playing Rules Proposals Summary
1. By Competition Committee; to permit the kicking team to declare an onside kick at any
time during the game.
2. By Competition Committee; to eliminate the kicking team’s incentive to intentionally
kick the ball out of bounds when kicking off from the 50-yard line.
3. By Competition Committee; to modify the kickoff alignment requirements for the
receiving team players in the setup zone.
4. By Competition Committee; to allow League personnel to consult with on-field officials
when considering disqualifications for both flagrant football acts and non-football acts
without being called on the field.
5. By Competition Committee; for one year only, to allow the NFL Officiating Department
to correct clear and obvious misses made by on-field officials that impact the game, in
the event that there is a work stoppage involving the game officials represented by the
NFL Referees Association.
