The NFL has approved 12 new playing rules, bylaws and resolutions for the 2024 season.
The most notable new rules are a ban on the “hip-drop tackle” (which has already faced backlash) and a new XFL-style kickoff (which is good news for Denver Broncos returner Marvin Mims).
Other changes include receiving a third challenge if you win your first two challenges in a game, the ability to elevate a quarterback from the practice squad an unlimited number of times during the season, and the trade deadline being moved from Week 8 to Week 9 beginning this fall.
Here’s a quick list of all 12 of the NFL’s rule changes for the 2024 season.
1. By Detroit; amends Rule 15, Section 1, Article 1, to protect a club’s ability to challenge a third ruling following one successful challenge.
2. By Competition Committee; amends Rule 14, Section 5, Article 2, to allow for an enforcement of a major foul by the offense prior to a change of possession in a situation where there are fouls by both teams.
3. By Competition Committee; amends Rule 15, Section 3, Article 3, to include a ruling of a passer down by contact or out of bounds before throwing a pass as a reviewable play.
4. By Competition Committee; amends Rule 15, Section 3, Article 9, to allow a replay review when there is clear and obvious visual evidence that the game clock expired before any snap.
5. By Competition Committee; amends Rule 12, Section 2, to eliminate a potentially dangerous tackling technique.
Editor’s note: Ban for hip-drop tackle.
6. By Competition Committee; for one year only, amends Rule 6, to create a new form of a free kick play that is designed to: (1) resemble a typical scrimmage play by aligning players on both teams closer together and restricting movement to reduce space and speed; and (2) promote more returns. Permits the Replay Official automatically review whether a free kick legally touched the ground or a receiving team player in the landing zone.
Editor’s note: New XFL-style kickoff.
7. By Detroit; amends Article XVII, Section 17.16 (C) of the Constitution & Bylaws, to provide clubs with an unlimited number of designated for return transactions in the postseason.
8. By Pittsburgh; amends Article XVI, Section 16.6 of the Constitution & Bylaws, to move the trading deadline to the Tuesday after Week 9 games.
9. By Competition Committee; amends Article XVII, Section 17.16(C), to permit each club to place a maximum of two players who are placed on an applicable Reserve List on the business day of the final roster reduction to be designated for return. Such players will immediately count as two of the club’s total designations.
10. By Competition Committee; amends Article XVII, Section 17.3, to expand the Standard Elevation rules to permit clubs to elevate a bona fide Quarterback an unlimited number of times from its practice squad to its Active List to be its Emergency Third Quarterback.
11. By Buffalo; to make the injury reporting rules for players who do not travel with their clubs to games away from their home city competitively fairer.
12. By Jacksonville; expands the 2023 preseason trial of providing a specific Hawk-Eye feed in the coaches booths for the 2024 preseason with full implementation for the 2025 season.
