NFL Reportedly Will Consider Expansion of Video Review for 2026 Season

The NFL is reportedly considering expanding the amount of plays that can be reviewed via replay for the 2026 season.

According to Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press, the NFL is exploring adding reviewable plays including "crackback blocks, low blocks/clipping, blindside blocks, intentional grounding (determine a receiver's position on the field) and illegal formation on kickoffs (determine feet on the ground when the ball is touched)."

The NFL's rulebook currently explains that "anything that is not expressly reviewable cannot be reviewed" regarding reviewable and non-reviewable plays (via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk).

Expanding the scope of plays that can be reviewed isn't an uncommon occurrence, as the league previously did so ahead of the 2025 season.

NFL owners voted for the usage of replay assist for adding fouls to hits on a defenseless player, grabbing a facemask, making a horse-collar tackle, tripping and running into or roughing the kicker (h/t Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk).

The league permanently implemented replay review in 1999, which included the introduction of giving coaches the ability to challenge calls. The amount of plays that can be looked at has steadily increased ever since.

Under the new proposed rule changes, reviewing intentional grounding can be used to determine the position of a receiver when an incomplete pass is thrown.

During the Denver Broncos' 27-26 win over the Washington Commanders in Week 13, the Commanders were penalized for intentional grounding despite a pass being thrown in the direction of a receiver who was outside the numbers (h/t Florio). The play wasn't eligible to be reviewed.

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League owners will vote on potential rule changes during their annual meeting in Phoenix, Arizona on March 29.