NFL 2025 Rule Change Proposals Include New Playoff Bracket Format, 'Tush Push' Ban

The NFL is still exploring ways to improve the game, and teams gave their input on potential rule changes that could achieve that goal.

Per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the league distributed club rule change proposals on Wednesday, which included the Green Bay Packers' proposal to ban the Philadelphia Eagles' famed "Tush Push."

The Detroit Lions also proposed an updated playoff format that allows wild-card teams to be seeded higher than division champions if they have a better regular-season record, per Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team.

During the 2024 playoffs, all three of the NFC wild card teams had better records than the NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams. The Eagles went all the way and won the Super Bowl by defeating the Kansas City Chiefs, using the "Tush Push" to score the game's first touchdown. The proposed rule changes could make these instances a thing of the past.

The full list of rule change proposals can be found here. Pelissero noted that proposals from the competition committee "generally have a better chance of being adopted" than those from NFL teams, and the committee is set to unveil its list next week.

Other notable proposals include the Eagles' suggestion for an overtime rule change that allows both teams to possess the ball regardless of the outcome of the first possession over a single 15-minute period. The change would align the regular-season overtime rules with the postseason rules, and CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reported that this proposal "has a strong chance to pass."

The Pittsburgh Steelers also proposed a rule change that would allow teams to have direct contact with free agents and arrange travel during the negotiating window before the official start of the new league year.

The NFL approved a slew of rule changes prior to the 2024 season, most notably banning the hip-drop tackle and amending kickoff rules. Out of the six approved rule changes, only one came from a club proposal while the rest were from the competition committee.