NFL Approves 2026 Rule Changes for Missed Calls by Refs, Onside Kicks, More

As the NFL prepares for the possibility of replacement refs being used during the 2026 season, the league has approved a rule change that will allow for the officiating department to assist with any potential missed calls on the field.

NFL owners voted to approve nine different changes and five rules proposals, including the one-year change that will allow for "clear and obvious errors made by on-field officials" if replacement refs are used at any point next season.

Other rule changes approved include allowing teams to declare an onside kick at any point during games, eliminating the incentive to intentionally kick the ball out of bounds when kicking off from the 50-yard line and modifying the kickoff alignment for receiving team players in the setup zone.

This means that all five rule changes proposed by the competition committee were approved by the league. The competition committee's three bylaws proposals also received enough votes for approval.

The other high-profile proposal came from the Cleveland Browns, who sought to make it so teams could trade draft picks up to five years into the future instead of three.

However, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported on Monday that the Browns withdrew their proposal due to a lack of support from other teams. Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay told Kay Adams there was "zero percent chance" the change would get approved.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were the only other team to present a resolution proposal. They sought to make permanent a 2025 change that allowed teams to have one video or phone call with up to five prospective unrestricted free agents during the two-day legal-tampering period. That proposal was approved by NFL owners.

Of all the changes approved by NFL owners, the most pertinent is the one allowing for the officiating department to assist with clear and obvious missed calls in the event of a work stoppage involving game officials represented by the NFL Referees Association.

ESPN's Kevin Seifert and Kalyn Kahler reported on Sunday that NFL owners were "alarmed" by the state of talks with the NFLRA and authorized staff members to begin hiring and onboarding replacement officials in the coming weeks.

According to Pelissero, the NFL's most recent offer to the NFLRA was for six years with a 6.45 percent annual growth rate in compensation, but the NFLRA is seeking a 10 percent growth rate and $2.5 million for marketing fees.

The last time the NFL used replacement refs was the 2012 season. It famously ended with the Fail Mary when the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Green Bay Packers 14-12 when Golden Tate's catch as time expired was ruled a touchdown, even though Packers safety M.D. Jennings also appeared to have control of the ball.

One official signaled touchdown, while another gave the signal for a time stoppage. The ruling of a touchdown stood after review and two days later the NFL agreed to a deal with the NFLRA to end the referee lockout.

The NFL is getting a faster start on preparations in the event things with the NFLRA drag on. Replacement refs from the 2012 lockout didn't start training until July, two months before the start of the regular season.

Seifert and Kahler noted the league would begin training replacement officials on May 1 if no deal with the Referees Association is reached.