A few adjustments to the playing regulations, bylaws, and resolutions were made at the NFL's annual league meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, which ended in March 2023. However, several of the suggestions needed more consideration, which will take place in May. At the owners' meetings in Phoenix, more than ten amendments to the league's rules and bylaws were accepted. The NFL authorized a total of 17 amendments on March 27th.
Here is all the information you need to know on the NFL's decision on Tuesday, including the key rule changes that will take effect for the 2023 NFL season.
0 jersey number - Owners authorized 0 to become an eligible jersey number for quarterbacks, receivers, linebackers, defensive backs, punters, and kickers beginning this autumn. This adjustment is expected to draw the greatest attention from fans.
Play clock adjustment - Following an instant replay reverse, referees will modify the play clock in the same manner they would for previous game interruptions. In certain circumstances, players won't need to signal to the officials for extra time.
Replay official’s jurisdiction expanded - Increase the area of responsibility for the replay official to enable evaluation of unsuccessful fourth-down efforts.
Changes to the definition of a launch, including leaving one or both feet, are suggested by the competition committee.
The Competition Committee has suggested that tripping be considered a personal foul.
The Competition Committee has suggested that the punishment for illegal forward passes be the same as that for other unlawful actions.
Make the punishment for unlawful punts, drop kicks, and place kicks equivalent to that for unlawful forward passes, as proposed by the Competition Committee.
Prevent the offence from gaining an advantage from a half-time extension as a result of their foul, as suggested by the competition committee.
Clarify usage of the helmet against an opponent by eliminating the "butt, ram, spear" terminology and adding such acts to what is considered to be illegal use of the helmet.
Change the claiming period for players waived on the Friday and Saturday of the last week of the regular season to Monday, as suggested by the competition committee.
Insert the strength of victory as the second criterion for contract awarding, as suggested by the Competition Committee.
The Competition Committee has proposed that the playoff signing regulations be changed to take the standard elevations rule into consideration and that the postseason rosters be frozen at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday that follows the last week of the regular season.
The roster transaction deadlines for the regular season and postseason will remain the same. The transaction deadline for Saturday evening postseason games will be 4 p.m. ET on the same Saturday.
Teams must be more specific when stating a player's availability for a game.
NFL rosters will not be reduced from 90 to 53 until one day after the start of the regular season.
