NFL Major Rule Changes for 2024: Enhancing Safety and Excitement

The NFL team owners have implemented significant changes to the game this week many of which will directly impact what viewers see on their screens every Sunday. During the early part of the week, the NFL announced several major rule adjustments aimed at bolstering player safety, refining replay procedures and injecting more excitement into certain aspects of the game.

The start of the game will undergo notable modifications in 2024 compared to 2023, coaches will gain an additional challenge opportunity per game, and a controversial tackling technique is being prohibited. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the alterations coming to the NFL for the 2024 season:

1. Kickoffs undergo radical changes: The NFL is overhauling kickoffs to reinvigorate this phase of the game while prioritizing player safety. This includes at least eight distinct adjustments detailed in a comprehensive piece by Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein.

2. Ban on the hip-drop tackle: The league has prohibited the swivel hip-drop tackle due to its heightened risk of injury. This technique involves specific actions that have been deemed unsafe, as outlined in the new rule.

3. Trade deadline extension: The trade deadline originally set for Week 8 has been pushed back to Week 9 following a proposal by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

4. Additional challenge for coaches: Coaches now have the opportunity to issue a third challenge without having to win their first two challenges. Winning either of the initial two challenges will grant them a third.

5. Enforcement of fouls on change-of-possession plays: Major offensive fouls occurring before a change of possession will now be enforced during such plays if fouls are committed by both teams.

6. Replay adjustments: The NFL has made several revisions to replay procedures including granting the replay assistant authority to correct objectively incorrect calls for certain situations and allowing review for specific instances related to game clock management and pass rulings.

7. Designated-to-return players in playoffs: Teams now have an unlimited number of designated-to-return transactions during the playoffs, thanks to a rule change proposed by the Detroit Lions.

8. Emergency quarterbacks: Emergency third quarterbacks can now be elevated from both the 53-man roster and the practice squad offering teams more flexibility in case of unexpected situations involving the starting and backup quarterbacks.

These modifications reflect the NFL ongoing efforts to enhance the game while prioritizing player safety and fairness.