The 2024 Annual NFL Meeting begins this Sunday March 24 through March 26 in Orlando, Florida.
All 32 clubs will be represented and there will be special sessions for owners, club executives and head coaches. The eight new head coaches are expected to attend and be available to the large group of media who will be covering the event.
Committee chairmen will present reports on subjects such as future international games, media policies and the growth of flag football, including as an Olympic sport in the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
In addition, it is expected there will be a report during an owners-only session regarding potential changes to long-standing club ownership policies. These changes may include for the first time the potential ownership by outside institutions of non-conforming limited partner interests in league franchises.
The Competition Committee also will present its views on the latest playing rules, Bylaws, and Resolution proposals submitted by the clubs or Competition Committee itself.
The topics that the Committee has discussed in its recent meetings since the end of the 2023 season include:
- Changes that would allow replay challenges by coaches (or replay officials in last two minutes of a half) to ANY penalty called on the field. These challenges still could not be used to impose a penalty if not originally called by on-field officials.
- Giving teams an additional replay challenge if they are successful on EITHER one of their two previous tries. The current rule is that an additional challenge is granted only if BOTH previous tries were successful.
- Allowing teams to run a 4th & 20 play from its own 20-yardline in lieu of an on-side kick after a score. If that play fails to gain a first down, the receiving team receives possession at the spot where the play ended.
- Moving the trading deadline back one or two weeks to give teams additional flexibility with their rosters, especially as it relates to injuries. The deadline currently is the Tuesday after the eighth regular season game.
- Adjusting stadium scoreboard clocks so they can display tenths of seconds in the final minute of each half.
The Competition Committee and the Health & Safety Leadership Committee have a media call scheduled for the end of this week to preview their agendas for the upcoming meeting.
We at NFL Alumni will update you on any major changes in this newsletter next week.
