NFL Releases Full List of Competition Committee's 2020 Rule Proposals

The NFL announced the complete list of rule-change proposals from teams and its competition committee that will be reviewed at the 2020 league meetings.

Here's a look at the propositions, which include multiple ideas related to the game clock, a possible increase in replay reviews and an onside-kick alternative:

Per ESPN's Kevin Seifert, the competition committee is not endorsing a renewal of the pass interference replay review that was implemented last season. 

Seifert added the committee declined to endorse proposals from the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers about implementing a policy that would include versions of a sky judge. 

"One is a booth umpire who would serve as an eighth member of the officiating crew, with the ability to communicate with the rest of the crew from a vantage point in the press box. The other is a senior technology assistant to the referee. The "STAR," as it is referred to in the proposal, would have access to video equipment and the authority to consult with officials in a limited number of situations."

Seifert noted all 32 team owners are obligated to consider proposals from the committee and teams, but they will "usually follow the committee's recommendations and rarely approve proposals submitted by individual teams."

The NFL adopted pass-interference replay for the 2019 season in the wake of the controversial non-call in the NFC Championship Game between the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints. 

Replay reviews for pass interference were basically a non-factor, with only 24 of 101 calls being overturned during the regular season.

At least 75 percent of team owners must vote in favor of a proposal to get adopted for 2020.

Although most of the ideas are procedural and won't have a major impact on the fan experience, the plan to potentially replace an onside kick with a 4th-and-15 opportunity is intriguing.

The onside-kick success rate has dropped in recent years after the NFL changed the rule to prevent unbalanced formations in order to limit the number of high-impact collisions.

In January, the league's football operations staff provided information on why it was testing the 4th-and-15 approach in the Pro Bowl. It stated the conversion rate on those plays is 16.8 percent, slightly higher than the 13.2 percent for onside kicks, while also reducing the injury risk.

"What are we, the Arena Football League?" New York Giants president John Mara told reporters in March 2019 after voting against the original idea, making him the competition committee's only dissenting voice.

This year's spring league meetings are scheduled for May 19-20 in California. It's unclear whether the event will be postponed or moved because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The NFL previously announced the 2020 draft, which will take place April 23-25, was changed to a fully virtual format because of COVID-19.