New NFL rules and bylaws for 2024

Just when you thought you had the rule book memorized…

Every off-season, the NFL takes suggestions for rule, resolution and bylaw changes from all 32 franchises and the competition committee. They vote on these suggestions and then some are added to the rulebook for the following season.

It doesn’t look like Demeco Ryans and the Houston Texans made any suggestions that passed, however, they’re likely single-mindedly focused on continuing to build a great franchise.

Here’s the batch of new 2024 rule, bylaw and resolution changes:

NFL Communications

Approved 2024 Playing Rules, Bylaws and Resolutions

NFL clubs adopted the following rules change proposals, bylaws and resolutions at the NFL Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, including the adoption of a new kickoff rule.

2024 Approved Playing Rules Summary

1. By Detroit Lions; amends Rule 15, Section 1, Article 1, to protect a club’s ability to challenge a third ruling following one successful challenge.

5. By Competition Committee; amends Rule 14, Section 5, Article 2, to allow for an enforcement of a major foul by the offense prior to a change of possession in a situation where there are fouls by both teams.

6. By Competition Committee; amends Rule 15, Section 3, Article 3, to include a ruling of a passer down by contact or out of bounds before throwing a pass as a reviewable play.

7. By Competition Committee; amends Rule 15, Section 3, Article 9, to allow a replay review when there is clear and obvious visual evidence that the game clock expired before any snap.

8. By Competition Committee; amends Rule 12, Section 2, to eliminate a potentially dangerous tackling technique.​

10A. By Competition Committee; for one year only, amends Rule 6, to create a new form of a free kick play that is designed to: (1) resemble a typical scrimmage play by aligning players on both teams closer together and restricting movement to reduce space and speed; and (2) promote more returns. Permits the Replay Official automatically review whether a free kick legally touched the ground or a receiving team player in the landing zone.

2024 Approved Bylaws Summary

2. By Detroit Lions; amends Article XVII, Section 17.16 (C) of the Constitution & Bylaws, to provide clubs with an unlimited number of designated for return transactions in the postseason.

4. By Pittsburgh Steelers; amends Article XVI, Section 16.6 of the Constitution & Bylaws, to move the trading deadline to the Tuesday after Week 9 games.

6. By Competition Committee; amends Article XVII, Section 17.16(C), to permit each club to place a maximum of two players who are placed on an applicable Reserve List on the business day of the final roster reduction to be designated for return. Such players will immediately count as two of the club’s total designations.

7. By Competition Committee; amends Article XVII, Section 17.3, to expand the Standard Elevation rules to permit clubs to elevate a bona fide Quarterback an unlimited number of times from its practice squad to its Active List to be its Emergency Third Quarterback.

2024 Approved Resolutions Summary​

G-1. By Buffalo Bills; to make the injury reporting rules for players who do not travel with their clubs to games away from their home city competitively fairer.

G-2A. By Jacksonville Jaguars; expands the 2023 preseason trial of providing a specific Hawk-Eye feed in the coaches booths for the 2024 preseason with full implementation for the 2025 season.

Not to much in there that should create serious talking points or controversy. This one, however, should put an end to (at least some) of the egregious officiating errors seen in the last few seasons:

7. By Competition Committee; amends Rule 15, Section 3, Article 9, to allow a replay review when there is clear and obvious visual evidence that the game clock expired before any snap.

And this is likely to pull the sting out of several crucial calls as well:

6. By Competition Committee; amends Rule 15, Section 3, Article 3, to include a ruling of a passer down by contact or out of bounds before throwing a pass as a reviewable play.

In the end, they need to make every play and officiating call reviewable. The story of why they won’t (would add too much time to the game) doesn’t hold water since both teams are limited on how many plays they can review (3) per contest.

The NFL also needs to employ dedicated off-site officials who review each play in real time. Nothing stings a fanbase worse than watching your team lose due to an officiating error.