Detroit Lions propose two game-changing NFL rule adjustments ahead of 2025 League Meeting

The Detroit Lions have proposed two big NFL rule adjustments ahead of the 2025 League Meeting. Detroit wants the automatic first down to be eliminated from the rules against illegal contact and defensive holding. The Lions also want to seed the playoff teams by record, regardless of berths by winning the division or securing a wild-card spot.

Per the proposal, the Lions want to eliminate an automatic first down for defensive holding and illegal contact because of “Competitive equity. Current penalty enforcement is too punitive for the
defense.” For the proposed playoff format the division champion with the best record would be the No. 1 seed. The remaining six teams would be seeded by best record regardless of winning the division or earning a wild-card berth.

But why do the Lions want playoff seeding changed? Per the proposal, they want “Competitive equity. Provides excitement and competition in late-season games. Rewards the best-performing teams from the regular season.”

But will these rule changes be approved by other teams? At least 24 teams would have to vote yes for the rule changes to be part of the NFL. It’s not likely the automatic first down will be eliminated, but there could be some discussion around the adjusted playoff seedings.

Will the proposed NFL rule changes help the Detroit Lions in 2025?

The Lions are coming off one of their best regular season in NFL history. They finished with a franchise-record 15 wins but lost to the Washington Commanders in the divisional round of the playoffs. After the loss, Campbell was asked if he believed the Lions’ Super Bowl window was still open.

“Yeah, I do,” Campbell said, per FOX News. “We talk about that core. That core group is still intact, and we’ve signed some back, some are up on contracts, and that’ll be ongoing. But, yeah, we absolutely do. I think the most important thing is you want to know you’ve got your culture, you’ve got your identity, and you’ve got players that fit into that, and we’ve got that.”

The Lions and the 31 other NFL will learn if there will be any new rule changes when the owners meet at the NFL League Meeting from March 30 – April 2 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles also submitted rule changes to be voted for during the meeting.