2026 Rules Changes

[upnorthkid]

I agree. They already allow it for all FG holders. Strangely, the holder can start a trick play or attempt a pass while technically down, so...

it's written directly as a rule that way. I guess you could do that for KR/PR.

I get leaving the rule as is as it is far easier to officiate (especially in the era where there was no replay). Makes it way simpler for lower levels of football where you can't go back to the monitor on plays and given the time period in which the rules were written in college (where there were all the bizarre formations.

If it were my call, I would put the NFL on the college rules rather than college to NFL. Stay on your feet. That's how the game was written to be played, not catching a ball and log rolling down the middle, especially when it's not like guys can come in and launch hit you anymore like they used to so they're easing up on those types of plays over the middle

 

[GophersInIowa]

I could see it happen for some teams. Take for example Iowa, pathetic offense but a solid defense.

The other team punts the ball into the wind and Iowa gets it mid-field, 50 yards from the endzone. If I understand the rule correctly, Iowa could then try a free kick from the 50 yard line with the wind and basically zero chance of it being blocked (the other team has be at least 10 yeads back); or they could snap the ball to run an offensive play and now have to gain at least seven yards before they can get back to the point where the ball will be placed on the 50 yard line for a field goal attempt. Iowa gaining seven yards is not a given, and even then, there's a chance it could be blocked.

If Iowa misses in the former scenario, the other team takes over on the 25 yard line. If they miss in the second scenario, the other team takes over from the spot they kicked it.

I could see it specifically on a very windy day and it's near the end of the 1st or 3rd quarter. So a team has the wind to their back after the fair catch but would be going into the wind after they run a play or two.

Still very unlikely but if the conditions are bad enough it's possible I suppose.

 

[GFBfan]

I thought the fair catch rule in the NFL had limitations. Something like only when the fair catch was the last play of the quarter the receiving team got one free kick for goal. Am I wrong? Seems silly to take a free kick for goal in the middle of a quarter

It can be done anytime, but what team would want to not try and score a TD first? Although last year the Vikes could (and should) have tried it when playing Seattle as Max was being overwhelmed by that D

 

[Some guy]

it's written directly as a rule that way. I guess you could do that for KR/PR.

I get leaving the rule as is as it is far easier to officiate (especially in the era where there was no replay). Makes it way simpler for lower levels of football where you can't go back to the monitor on plays and given the time period in which the rules were written in college (where there were all the bizarre formations.

If it were my call, I would put the NFL on the college rules rather than college to NFL. Stay on your feet. That's how the game was written to be played, not catching a ball and log rolling down the middle, especially when it's not like guys can come in and launch hit you anymore like they used to so they're easing up on those types of plays over the middle

Not the same rule but with the nfl wanting offense im surprised they haven’t gone to the one foot rule on catches like every other level of football does.
Imagine the insane catches those nfl guys would make if you only need one foot

 

[Jack jones]

High school football has had this rule forever.

 

[GopherGrit]

Guy breaks a 90 yard offensive play (run or pass, doesn't matter), heading towards the pylon.

On the 5 yard line he fumbles. Could be caused by defense or not. Doesn't matter.

Ball pops out and bounces along the ground towards the pylon. On the very last bounce, with 50/50 probability:
- it bounces out of bounces just before (inches) the pylon = offense gets the ball at the 5 yard line
OR
- it bounces out of bounds in the endzone just after (inches) the pylon = offense loses possession.


You have to be clinically insane to think a 50/50 random bounce of the ball on what is other wise the exact. same. scenario. should result in such disparate outcomes.