NFL Approves Rule Change to Move Trade Deadline Back; Will Take Place After Week 9

The NFL approved the proposal to move back the trade deadline at the annual league meeting in Orlando, Florida, on Tuesday.

According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, the trade deadline in 2024 and beyond will be after Week 9. In previous years, the trade deadline was after Week 8.

The change could potentially make for a more active deadline since teams will have a slightly better idea whether they are a buyer or seller.

In 2023, there was quite a bit of action on deadline day compared to most years, as six trades were completed, including pass-rusher Montez Sweat from the Washington Commanders to the Chicago Bears, pass-rusher Chase Young from the Commanders to the San Francisco 49ers and cornerback Rasul Douglas from the Green Bay Packers to the Buffalo Bills.

While there is still half a season remaining after Week 9, the longer the deadline is held off, the more beneficial it is to NFL general managers in terms of figuring out what course of action they want to take.

Moving back the deadline was only one of many notable changes passed by the NFL at the league meeting.

From an on-field perspective, the league agreed to change kickoffs to a format first seen in the XFL that will prevents players from the kicking and receiving teams from moving until the returner touches the ball, per ESPN's Kevin Seifert.

Since the return game has essentially been taken out of the game in recent years, the new rule is meant to promote returns, while also limited high-speed collisions that can cause injuries.

Additionally, the NFL will penalize hip-drop tackles and teams will be granted a third coach's challenge if one of the first two challenges are successful.

Teams previous had to be successful on two challenges in order to be granted a third.

The new rules will be on display in a game situation for the first time on Aug. 1 when the Chicago Bears face the Houston Texans in the preseason-opening Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.