Roger

Goodell

Per Robinson’s report, “multiple league and player’s union sources” say that Goodell and the owners are expected to “make more assertive efforts” this summer to add an 18th game to the schedule. Robinson also indicates that team owners would like to opt out of the leagues’ domestic media right contracts, “which Goodell and the owners believe are underpriced.” The contracts are not set to expire until 2029, though. Opting out of the contracts before cementing an 18-game schedule would create more problems for the owners down the road, which may provide the NFL players’ union with leverage, as time is on the latter party’s side. The players reportedly wish to increase their split of league revenue from 48.0 percent to an even 50-50, which could play a role in negotiations.

The proposal would move the spot of touchbacks from the 30-to the 35-yard line in hopes of increasing the rate of returns. The league boosted its kickoff return rate from 21.8 percent in 2023 to 32.8 percent in 2024 by introducing the dynamic kickoff last season. It still was the second-lowest return rate in NFL history as only 21.5 percent kicks landed in the 20-yard landing zone. Any proposed rules changes require the approval of 24 owners. The league’s annual meetings will be held next week in Palm Beach, Florida.

The proposal is to give “both teams the opportunity to possess the ball regardless of the outcome of the first possession, subject to a 15-minute overtime period in the regular season.” The current rule for the regular season has a 10-minute overtime period where both teams must possess the ball, unless the team receiving the opening kickoff scores a touchdown on its initial possession. There were 16 overtime games during the 2024 regular season, and none in the playoffs.

This marks the fourth-straight season that the league has increased the cap number after it fell to $182.5 million in 2021 following a COVID-stricken 2020 season. The $279.2 million ceiling also sets a new league record for the fourth-straight season, and will raise every team’s cap space for the upcoming season once adjustments for the approved amount take effect.

Previously, referees would measure the first down line-to-gain using a chain measurement. Now, the NFL is instituting a Hawk-Eye virtual measurement to measure if a ball crossed the first down line. The chain gang will remain as a backup. This is a big response to the yearly criticism that manual chains can be inaccurate and take a long time to measure. The 2025 regular season is the first time the virtual measurement will be used.

It’s the second year in a row that a team has filed a motion to ban the tush push, this time questioning whether or not it constitutes “a viable football play.” No action has yet to be taken to preclude teams from the play. While Schefter did not cite a team as responsible for the proposal, another source indicated it was the Packers heading the charge on a potential rules change.

This would come one year after the NFL moved touchbacks up from the 25-yard-line to the 30. The league reported a 57 percent increase in returns in 2024; which was the main goal of the drastic change to the kickoff rules last year. Another five yards could incentivize more potential kick returns in 2025, as well.

The NFL continues to expand its overseas initiatives and will now be headed to Dublin next season. Ireland will join Spain as the two newest countries to host an NFL team in 2025, with Australia set to play host to the Rams in 2026. The Steelers, who will count this as a home game, are currently the only team with rights to Ireland, per the league’s Global Markets Program. Per the league site, the Jets are also working to expand into Ireland, which could create more opportunities for future games.

Howell adamantly pushed back on commissioner Roger Goodell’s statements that recent safety data does not discourage an 18-game season. He said, “frankly, we’re not sure how he’s reaching that conclusion based on the data we’ve been given access to.” The 18-game season has been a topic of discussion ever since the NFL went to 17 games in 2020. The NFL and NFLPA have only had informal discussions on the issue and Howell mentioned there will be other considerations before even discussing 18 games, as 17 games “is also so lengthy that you’re still dealing with injuries going into the next season.” There will continue to be discussions around an extended regular season up until the current CBA expires after the 2030 season.

Per the league, the game will be part of a multi-year commitment to playing games in Melbourne. The Herald Sun was early to report the news and has named the Eagles as LA’s opponent for the game. The NFL didn’t include Philly as part of the game in their official press release but did note that the Eagles, along with the Rams, hold the marketing rights in Australia as part of the league’s Global Markets Program. All signs point to Philly being named as the second team at a later date. The first game will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.