The NFL said on Wednesday that it will review rules for overtime this offseason, potentially implementing postseason overtime rules for regular-season games.
During a football ops session with the media in Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine, the league noted that there has been an uptick in wins for teams that receive the opening kickoff in overtime, per NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo.
NFL EVP of football ops Troy Vincent said on Wednesday the Competition Committee agrees overtime rules need to be addressed. Receiving the ball first has become more of an advantage than pre-2011 when it was a sudden death period. Receiving teams won 56.8% of games in overtime from 2017-24, up from 55.4% from 2001-11.
"It's time to rethink the overtime rule,"Vincent said.
Under current regular-season rules, each team is guaranteed an offensive possession in overtime unless the team that receives the ball scores a touchdown on the opening possession. In the postseason, both teams are guaranteed an offensive possession in OT.
The NFL modified its OT rules for the postseason ahead of the 2022 season after the Chiefs' memorable OT win over the Bills in the Divisional Round sparked debate over the rules when Buffalo did not get an opportunity with the ball.
As the league continues to consider expanded replay assistance for the 2025 season, NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent told reporters that replay assist would only apply to fouls that are called on the field. Vincent described the idea of the league office throwing flags on plays a "nonstarter."
Vincent previously said during last year's December League Meeting that facemask penalties could be subject to replay for the upcoming season.
Additionally, the league said on Wednesday that the Hawk-Eye technology for measuring the line to gain is slated to replace chains as the primary measurement system for regular-season games in 2025. Garafolo noted that the chain gang would remain on sidelines as a backup.
Any rules changes would be voted on during the Annual League Meeting taking place March 30-April 2 in Palm Beach, Florida.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
