NFL Rule Changes for the 2025 Season Explained

Flag on the play! As the 2025 NFL season kicks off, new league-wide rules will take effect and force fans to punt on some previous knowledge. The game-changing adjustments follow a months-long process of surveying teams, coaches and league executives, reviewing proposals from the NFL Competition Committee and winning the majority vote of approval by team owners.

Secure your NFL tickets and study up on the new NFL rule changes below for the 2025 season below.

2025 NFL Rule Changes

Dynamic Kickoff

In 2025, NFL clubs voted to make permanent the Dynamic Kickoff format, a major redesign of the traditional kickoff intended to resemble a typical scrimmage play and promote more returns.

First introduced in 2024, this formation aligns players on both teams closer together to reduce space and speed. Key changes for 2025 include allowing a maximum of three players in the setup zone not on the restraining line (but never more than one per side), moving the touchback spot to the 35-yard line when a kick lands in and remains in the end zone, and permitting teams to declare an onside kick at any point in the game if they are trailing—not just in the fourth quarter.

The Dynamic Kickoff introduces strict alignment rules: the kicking team (excluding the kicker) lines up at the opponent’s 40-yard line and cannot move until the ball touches the ground or a player. The receiving team must place at least nine players in a designated setup zone, with detailed positioning restrictions, and may have up to two returners in the landing zone (the area between the goal line and 20-yard line). Kicks short of the landing zone are penalized, while kicks that land in the end zone and are downed result in a touchback to the 35-yard line. Onside kicks must still follow traditional rules, but now offer more strategic flexibility.

Overtime Procedures

In 2025, NFL teams approved a rule change to align overtime rules for both the regular season and postseason. Under this new format, both teams are now granted the opportunity to possess the ball in overtime, even if the first team scores a touchdown. If the defense has a pick-6 or makes a tackle in the end zone for a safety—still technically be the first possession—then the first possession can end with a winner.

For regular-season games, overtime consists of a single 10-minute period following a three-minute intermission. A coin toss determines possession, and each team is given two timeouts. If the score remains tied at the end of overtime, the game ends in a tie. There are no coach’s challenges during overtime; all replay reviews are initiated by the replay official.

In the postseason, where ties are not permitted, overtime continues until a winner is determined. Teams play as many additional overtime periods as necessary, with two-minute breaks between each overtime period and no halftime after the second. Each team gets three timeouts per half, and if the game reaches a fifth overtime, another coin toss occurs. Importantly, both teams must have an opportunity to possess the ball in overtime.

Instant Replay Assist

In 2025, the NFL expanded the role of Instant Replay to give replay officials and designated members of the officiating department greater ability to assist on-field officials with specific, objective aspects of a play whenever clear and obvious video evidence is available. This change allows for real-time input on rulings such as the spot of the ball or a foul, penalty enforcement, possession calls, and game clock administration. The goal is to streamline game administration, reduce unnecessary stoppages, and limit the need for coaches’ challenges by providing accurate, timely information during the game.

Replay officials now have the authority to proactively assist with a broader range of situations, including certain fouls like roughing the passer, intentional grounding related to the pocket or line of scrimmage, and various types of unnecessary roughness. While coaches still have the option to challenge rulings not automatically reviewed, many calls that would have previously required challenges can now be addressed through replay assist. If a coach disagrees with a replay official’s input and throws a challenge flag before the replay decision is made, it counts as a challenge and risks being lost, encouraging coaches to wait until the replay assist window closes before challenging.

2025 NFL Rule Amendments

The 2025 NFL rule changes came along with several major amendments to existing laws. Approved by at least three-quarters of the league’s owners, the following changes were initially submitted by the NFL Competition Committee unless stated otherwise:

• Teams can now pick two players to return from Injured Reserve right when they cut the roster down to 53 players at the end of preseason.
• The limit of eight player returns from Injured Reserve applies only during the regular season. If a team makes the playoffs, they’ll get two extra return spots to use during the postseason.
• When two or more teams place the same contract offer to a player, the league will now use Point Differential (points scored vs. points allowed) as the third tiebreaker to help decide who wins the player.
• For one year only, teams are allowed to have one video or phone call with up to five unrestricted free agents during the two-day negotiation period before free agency begins. If a deal is agreed to, the team can also set up travel for that player. (Proposed by Pittsburgh.)
• Teams can now prepare kicking footballs (“K-Balls”) before game day, just like they already do with regular game balls, instead of having to wait until game day. (Proposed by Baltimore, Cleveland, Houston, Las Vegas, Minnesota, Philadelphia, and Washington.)
• Teams that might make the playoffs can now send scouts to watch two games (Weeks 17 and 18) of possible playoff opponents. Also, if a team is hosting a Wild Card game, they must give scouting access to all other playoff teams in the same conference. (Proposed by Washington.)