NFL to Vote on Rule Changes to Onside Kick, Playoff Seeding Format, Tush Push

The NFL is preparing to vote on potential rule changes involving the onside kick, playoff seeding format and the controversial “tush push” ahead of the 2025-26 season.

One of the proposals from the competition committee would adjust the onside kick rules, allowing teams to declare an onside attempt at any point in the game while trailing—not just in the fourth quarter. Additionally, teams would be permitted to line up one yard closer to the receiving team, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero.

The goal of the change is to improve the onside kick success rate from just six percent last season.

The committee also received a playoff seeding proposal from the Detroit Lions that would rank teams solely based on regular-season records.

Each conference will send a total of seven teams to the postseason—four division winners and three Wild Card teams, which are the non-division winners with the best remaining records. If teams finish with identical records, tie games are factored in as half a win and half a loss.

It’s possible for all three Wild Card spots to come from a single division. Teams that lose in division title tiebreakers can still earn Wild Card berths if their overall records are strong enough.

Take a look at the Lions proposal:

In addition, the Green Bay Packers submitted a proposal to ban the “tush push,” a move they’ve long opposed. Under the proposal, teams executing the maneuver would be penalized 10 yards.

View the full tush push ban proposal:

These proposals will be voted on Tuesday and Wednesday this week in Minneapolis, where all 32 team owners will be present.