NFL owners reportedly agreed to four rules changes for the 2026 season on Tuesday.
According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, owners approved four proposals from the league's competition committee regarding kickoffs and officiating.
Teams can now declare an onside kick at any time in the game. A team could only attempt an onside kick when trailing in the fourth quarter during the 2024 season, and a team had to be losing to announce an onside kick at any juncture of the game last season.
Another new rule will "eliminate the kicking team’s incentive to intentionally kick the ball out of bounds when kicking off from the 50-yard line." The league will also alter the receiving team's setup zone on kickoffs.
The final new guideline has particularly sparked conversation. Effective only for the 2026 season, the league's officiating department can "correct clear and obvious misses made by on-field officials that impact the game" in the event of an NFL Referees Association work stoppage.
Fans react to NFL rule changes
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Fans responded to the new NFL regulations on social media. Bracing for the possibility of hiring replacement referees, the league wants to avoid a repeat of the 2012 lockout that saw numerous blown calls.
However, some fans don't think the extra oversight should be a one-year addition contingent on the use of replacement refs.
"At least the league is aware enough that they can't have another Fail Mary happen with replacement refs," Bears Wire's Brendan Sugrue wrote. "I wonder if the oversight will stay on if/when the regular officials return."
"The last one is long overdue and shouldn't have to do with a work stoppage," a fan declared.
"For one year only, we'll use technology to make the game better. After that, it's back to clear and obvious missed calls," Steven Kriz joked.
While fans appreciate the opportunity for more onside kicks, it won't be the same as before the dynamic kickoff since teams still must declare it beforehand.
"Onside kicks coming back is nice," a fan said.
"I really wish the NFL would do onside kicks like they originally did," Kirsten Tanis wrote. "Anytime and no heads-up needed. That was the fun of it. Great that they can be done anytime again, but surprise was one of the elements of success. Warning the team ahead of time is why conversion rates are at an all-time low."
