A few rule changes have been approved and amended by club owners at the Annual League Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona.
The most notable changes revolve around kickoffs with onside kick allotment and alignment of players on kickoff returns. The league will now allow onside kicks to be declared at any time during the game. The previous rule only allowed onside kicks in the fourth quarter.
Additionally, the incentive for kicking teams to intentionally kick the ball out of bounds when kicking from the 50-yard line has been eliminated. The previous rule stated that an out-of-bounds kickoff from the 50 placed the ball at the 25-yard line. The new rule now puts it at the 20.
A playing rule that was amended now allows league personnel to consult with on-field referees on disqualifications for both flagrant football acts and non-football acts and place a flag if one wasn't thrown.
Of the bylaws approved, the League office can now work along with NFL clubs to adjust the procedures and deadlines for announcing their initial 53-man roster if that club has an international game scheduled for their season opener. Players on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform are also now able to start their 21-day practice period after the club's second game of the regular season.
Take a look below at all of the official amendments and bylaws which were passed, per NFL.com:
2026 Approved Playing Rules Summary
- By Competition Committee; to permit the kicking team to declare an onside kick at any time during the game.
- By Competition Committee; to eliminate the kicking team's incentive to intentionally kick the ball out of bounds when kicking off from the 50-yard line.
- By Competition Committee; to modify the kickoff alignment requirements for the receiving team players in the setup zone.
4-A. By Competition Committee; to allow League personnel to consult with on-field officials when considering disqualifications for both flagrant football acts and non-football acts without being called on the field.
- By Competition Committee; for one year only, to allow the NFL Officiating department to correct clear and obvious mistakes made by on-field officials that impact the game, in the event that there is a work stoppage involving the game officials represented by the NFL Referees Association.
2026 Approved Bylaws Summary
- By Competition Committee; amends Article XVII, Section 17.1 of the Constitution and Bylaws to permit the League office to adjust the procedures and related dates and deadlines for the final roster reduction to accommodate an international game scheduled in the first week of the regular season.
- By Competition Committee; amends Article XVII, Section 18.1 (B) of the Constitution and Bylaws to establish the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend as business days to provide clubs with personnel notices during the first weekend after the roster reduction.
- By Competition Committee; to permit players on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform to begin a 21-day practice period after the club's second game of the regular season.
2026 Approved Resolutions Summary
- By Pittsburgh; to make permanent the change implemented during the 2025 season that permits clubs to have one video or phone call with no more than five prospective Unrestricted Free Agent during the Two-Day Negotiation Period, and to permit clubs to make travel arrangements with such players upon agreeing to terms.
The Las Vegas Raiders partnered with Naqvi Injury Law to reveal uniforms and equipment for All-Star athletes for the 2026 Inspire All-Star Game and host a flag football clinic for middle school athletes.
All-Star athletes pose for a photo at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
All-Star athletes pose for a photo at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders manager of football development Marli Bartlett speaks to All-Star athletes at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) speaks to All-Star athletes at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) speaks to All-Star athletes at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Attorney Farhan Naqvi of Naqvi Injury Law speaks to All-Star athletes at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Attorney Farhan Naqvi of Naqvi Injury Law speaks to All-Star athletes at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
All-Star athletes reveal their new uniforms from Naqvi Injury Law Champions for Safety program for the upcoming 2026 Inspire All-Star Game at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
All-Star athletes reveal their new uniforms from Naqvi Injury Law Champions for Safety program for the upcoming 2026 Inspire All-Star Game at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
All-Star athletes reveal their new uniforms from Naqvi Injury Law Champions for Safety program for the upcoming 2026 Inspire All-Star Game at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) and Attorney Farhan Naqvi of Naqvi Injury Law pose for a photo with All-Star athletes at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
All-Star athletes pose for a photo in their new uniforms at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Attorney Farhan Naqvi of Naqvi Injury Law and wide receiver Jack Bech (18) pose for a photo at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) with All-Star athletes during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) with an All-Star athlete during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders manager of football development Marli Bartlett works with middle school athletes during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) works with middle school athletes during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
All-Star athletes and middle school athletes huddle during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
A middle school athlete during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
A middle school athlete during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
A middle school athlete during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
A middle school athlete during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Middle school athletes during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
A middle school athlete during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
A middle school athlete during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
A middle school athlete during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
A middle school athlete during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
A middle school athlete during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Middle school athletes during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Middle school athletes during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
A middle school athlete during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
All-Star athletes during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
A middle school athlete during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Middle school athletes during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Middle school athletes during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
A middle school athlete during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Middle school athletes during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
A middle school athlete during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Middle school athletes during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
All-Star athletes during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders coordinator of football development Chris Shelby speaks to middle school athletes during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
All-Star athletes pose for a photo with a middle school athlete during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
All-Star athletes pose for a photo with a middle school athlete during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
All-Star athletes and middle school athletes huddle during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
All-Star athletes and middle school athletes pose for a photo during a flag football clinic at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
