Top NFL Rule Changes Reportedly Eyed for 2026 League Meetings and Who Is on the Committee

Next week marks a crucial point on the NFL offseason calendar because league meetings will take place in Phoenix with owners and executives from all 32 teams gathering to discuss key details, including potential rule changes, for the 2026 season.

There are at least five rule proposals on the table that will be presented by the competition to team owners, with three of them focused on the kicking game:

• Allowing a kicking team to declare an onside kick at any point in the game. The current rules only allow for an onside kick in the fourth quarter when the kicking team is trailing.
• Eliminate the kicking team's incentive to intentionally kick the ball out of bounds when kicking off from the 50-yard line.
• Modify the kickoff alignment requirements for the receiving team players in the setup zone.
• Allow league personnel to consult with on-field officials when considering disqualifications for both flagrant football acts and non-football acts without being called on the field.
• Allow NFL officiating department to correct clear and obvious missed calls on the field that impact the game.

The final proposal on the list would only be in effect for the 2026 season if the ongoing labor standoff between the NFL and NFL Referees Association results in a work stoppage for the league's referees.

Those are the five proposed rule changes made by the competition committee, which consists of 11 people ranging from front office officials to general managers to head coaches:

• Rich McKay, Atlanta Falcons CEO
• Stephen Jones, Dallas Cowboys COO
• Katie Blackburn, Cincinnati Bengals executive vice president
• Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach
• John Lynch, San Francisco 49ers general manager
• John Mara, New York Giants president
• Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams head coach
• Kevin O'Connell, Minnesota Vikings head coach
• Sean Payton, Denver Broncos head coach
• DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans head coach
• Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots head coach

Perhaps the most interesting proposal brought forth by a team came from the Cleveland Browns, who are seeking to make it so clubs can draft picks out up to five years in the future.

The current rule allows for teams to trade draft picks three years into the future.

Per The Athletic's Mike Jones, other items that will be discussed include further planning for flag football prior to its Olympics debut in 2028; potential new technological advances after the league added a virtual measurement system to determine first downs in 2025; and a potential update from NFL commissiner Roger Goodell on where labor talks stand with the NFL Referees Association.

One thing that's not on the table this year after being much-discussed going into the 2025 league meetings is the tush push. There was no proposal this year to ban the play, meaning it will remain legal for the 2026 season.

Last year's approved rules changes included the addition of the dynamic kickoff, giving both teams one possession in overtime and expanded instant replay assistance.

Any proposal requires approval from at least 24 of the NFL's 32 team owners. The league meetings begin on Sunday and will run through Wednesday.