NFL clubs adopted nine rule change proposals, bylaws and resolutions at the NFL’s annual meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, earlier this week. Here’s a quick recap of those changes, courtesy of the league.<\/p>\n
2026 Approved Playing Rules Summary<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0 By Competition Committee; to permit the kicking team to declare an onside kick at any time during the game.<\/p>\n
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2.\u00a0 By Competition Committee; to eliminate the kicking team\u2019s incentive to intentionally kick the ball out of bounds when kicking off from the 50-yard line.<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0 By Competition Committee; to modify the kickoff alignment requirements for the receiving team players in the setup zone.<\/p>\n
4-A.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
5.\u00a0 By Competition Committee; for one year only, to allow the NFL Officiating department to correct clear and obvious mistakes 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.<\/p>\n
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2026 Approved Bylaws Summary<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
By Competition Committee; to permit players on Reserve\/Physically Unable to Perform to begin a 21-day practice period after the club\u2019s second game of the regular season.<\/p>\n
2026 Approved Resolutions Summary<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Denver Broncos<\/a> coach Sean Payton is a member of the NFL’s competition committee<\/a>. These changes will apply to the 2026 NFL season this fall.<\/p>\n Social: Follow\u00a0Broncos Wire<\/a>\u00a0on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Twitter\/X<\/a>!\u00a0Did you know:\u00a0These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans<\/a>.<\/p>\n