
NFL rule changes 2026: Competition committees submits five proposals
USA TODAY
The NFL's competition committee proposed five rule changes for 2026, including adjustments to onside kicks and a referee contingency.
Change is constant, even in football.
The evolution of the sport has seen some extreme changes through the years. All were made with the idea that they would make the game better and were necessary for the evolution of the sport. Remember, the forward pass wasn't always a thing and instant replay wasn't always there to correct an obvious error.
That is unimaginable in the modern era, but all these changes come from somewhere.
Every year, there are proposals to make changes to the rulebook as new ideas come to the forefront. The 2025 rule changes brought a new kickoff and some additional adjustments to overtime and instant replay. While the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers brought some proposals to the table, the competition committee also has some topics to discuss.
The group brought five rule change proposals for the 2026 season, including a contingency if the league and its referees can't reach a deal in time for the regular season.













