NFL Considering Expanded Replay Assist, Regular-Season OT Rule Changes for 2025 Season

The NFL is considering numerous changes this offseason, including expanding replay assist and mirroring the regular-season overtime rules to match the playoff format, per the league's football operations department.

Mike Garafolo of NFL Network relayed the news.

Overtime games would consist of both teams having possessions, like the playoffs. Garafolo provided more insight.

The news on both potential changes broke as the league's Scouting Combine got underway from Indianapolis.

Of note, expanded replay assist would only occur in response to fouls occurred on the field. No-calls still wouldn't be replayed.

In other words, as Tom Pelissero of NFL Network noted, Los Angeles Rams linebacker Byron Young's infamous no-call facemask on Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, which essentially sealed L.A.'s 30-20 win as it led to a sack in the end zone and a safety, wouldn't be included in these changes.

More specifically, this expanded replay assist would include flags for roughing the passer (hits below the knee), unnecessary roughness (defenseless receiver/player), facemasks and other penalties such as tripping, illegal crackback blocks and horse-collar tackles.

As for the OT, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported that the "leading candidate" is a 15-minute overtime period with both teams having a chance to possess the ball. Right now, it's a 10-minute OT period with the game becoming a race to six points, or a fight to score first (if the initial possessor of the ball fails to score).

Games would still end in a tie in the regular season if neither team scores after the OT.