The NFL announced several rule changes for the 2024 campaign during Monday's league-wide annual owners meetings. Most notably, the hip-drop tackle was banned after it led to various season-ending injuries last season. Other changes occurred such as replay officials now being permitted to correct certain types of incorrect calls for roughing the passer and intentional grounding, per Tom Pelissero.
Monday's annual league meeting had a profound impact on 2024 and beyond. It got us thinking about potential changes that are yet to come to fruition. With recent announcements at the forefront of our exercise, we've identified three additional adjustments we'd love to eventually see.
ONSIDE KICKS
The rate for recovered onside kicks has plummeted since the league banned running starts. That change has led to considerably fewer concussions suffered via onside kicks, which is undeniably a victory. A better solution is ultimately required for teams to attempt to gain possession when trailing late, though. Onside kicks have completely lost their luster.
Allowing the intended team to attempt a 4th-and-20 to regain possession of the ball would add a layer of excitement the onside kick currently lacks. This proposal was disappointingly voted down on Monday.
ROUGHING THE PASSER/PASS INTERFERENCE
Wonky roughing the passer and pass interference calls have been a sore spot for years. NFL Competition Committee Chairman Rich McKay announced that purely objective roughing the passer and intentional grounding calls will now be subject to further analysis from replay assistants. I'd love to see all roughing the passer calls reviewed (at least behind the scenes), but at least it's a step in the right direction.
Defensive pass interference should have garnered consideration. The league introduced instant replay review to pass interference during the 2019 campaign. It was a failure of epic proportions and didn't return in 2020. The proposal deserves a better-planned-out return given the amount of incorrect pass interference calls that negatively impact results.
DELAYING THE TRADE DEADLINE
Six different franchises proposed pushing the NFL trade deadline back by two weeks, according to a report from CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones. The proposal allegedly put forth was for the deadline to occur after Week 10 instead of its current Week 8 timeline. It did not gain approval, but it represents an intriguing change that I wish gained league-wide support.
Pushing back the trade deadline could lead to more activity, which is great and exciting. A two-week delay would further help clarify postseason contenders and non-contenders, which could lead to more clearly defined buyers and sellers at the deadline. With regular-season schedules now featuring an extra week/game, pushing the deadline back should gain momentum at future league meetings.