NFL approves change to challenge rules proposed by Detroit Lions

On Monday at the NFL’s league meetings in Orlando, the competition committee voted to change to challenge rules based on a proposal submitted by the Detroit Lions. The Lions suggested that teams should receive a third challenge if at least one of their two challenges was successful earlier in the game.

Before the rule change, a team could only receive a third challenge if both of their previous challenges were successful. A successful third challenge, however, would not result in a team earning a fourth challenge.

News from the #NFL Annual meeting. pic.twitter.com/I8FqcBF4te

— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) March 25, 2024

Before the votes on new proposals, the Indianapolis Colts withdrew their proposal to allow a coach or replay official to challenge any foul that has been called.

There has not yet been a vote to decide on new kickoff rules, but it will come soon. The NFL competition committee has discussed the possibility of adopting the kickoff model from the XFL in 2024. In the XFL, the kickoff requires players on both the kick and return teams to line up five yards apart. The kicker and the returner are the only exceptions as they are allowed to line up elsewhere.

NFL approves hip-drop tackle ban

The NFL has reportedly made the final decision on the controversial hip-drop tackle. Despite the NFLPA giving the proposal to ban the tackling technique a resounding, “no,” the league is moving forward with a ban, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Per Rapoport, the committee was unanimous in its decision.

By enacting the competition committee’s proposal, a hip-drop tackle penalty will result in a loss of 15 yards and an automatic first down for the opposing team. Here is the NFL Competition Committee’s proposed amendment to Rule 12, Section 2 of the NFL rule book:

“Article 18. Hip-drop tackle. It is a foul if a player uses the following technique to bring a runner to the ground:
(a) grabs the runner with both hands or wraps the runner with both arms; and
(b) unweights himself by swiveling and dropping his hips and/or lower body, landing on and trapping the runner’s leg(s) at or below the knee.”

Atlanta Falcons CEO and chairman of the competition committee Rich McKay spoke to reporters about why the league is moving forward with the ban. He said there was a problem that needed to be addressed, but admitted that enforcement will be difficult.

“Do we have a problem? The answer was yes,” McKay said. “This will be a hard one to call on the field, you have to see every element of it. We want to make it a rule so we can deal on the discipline during the week.”