League personnel being able to weigh in on on-field calls among NFL's new proposals

The NFL's Competition Committee submitted five proposals to the league ahead of the Annual League Meeting on March 29 in Phoenix. (Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The NFL's Competition Committee submitted five proposals to the league ahead of the Annual League Meeting on March 29 in Phoenix.

Rule 4 would allow league personnel to consult with on-field officials when considering player disqualifications for both flagrant football acts and non-football acts, without requiring a stoppage of play.

Rule 5 is a one-year proposal that would allow the NFL Officiating Department to correct obvious errors made by on-field officials that have a direct impact on the game.

The first proposed rule change would allow the kicking team to declare an onside kick at any point during the game. Since 2024, teams have only been permitted to attempt onside kicks in the fourth quarter and must declare their intention to do so.

The second and third proposals also focus on special teams. The second rule aims to remove the incentive for the kicking team to intentionally kick the ball out of bounds. Currently, when a kickoff goes out of bounds, the ball is placed at the 40-yard line. The third rule would modify kickoff alignment requirements for receiving team players in the setup zone.

The committee also proposed changes to key league dates, including business days, the final roster reduction deadline, and the timeline for players returning from the reserve physically unable to perform list.

The Cleveland Browns proposed allowing teams to trade draft picks up to five years in advance, similar to the NBA, where teams can trade picks up to seven years ahead. Currently, NFL teams are limited to trading picks up to three years into the future.

The Pittsburgh Steelers proposed making permanent a rule that allows teams to have one video or phone call with up to five prospective unrestricted free agents during the two-day tampering period, as well as arrange travel with selected players. This rule was implemented for the current free agency period; previously, teams and players were only permitted to communicate through agents during the tampering window.