The NFL did not hold its annual spring meeting as scheduled because of the coronavirus outbreak. But that doesn't mean the league isn't moving forward with some potential new playing rules for 2020.
Per the NFL, the Competition Committee has reviewed and approved a number of potential changes for the upcoming season that will be voted on for ratification at the scheduled owner's meeting in May.
Most prominent among them is that the committee opted to not endorse an extension of pass interference reviews. That was a one-year pilot program following controversial calls in the 2018 playoffs, and the review process itself was the subject of almost as much controversy in 2019 in that it was nearly impossible to get an overturn.
According to the NFL Network, a survey of teams found only eight of 29 teams who were surveyed about keeping the rule want it to remain in place.
The owners could still approve an extension of pass interference reviews, but owners seldom overrule the Competition Committee.
Another change could be a proposal made by the Ravens and Chargers that would add a veteran official to the booth that would assist the referee and officiating crew, essentially a "sky judge."
That rule has been brought up from time to time over the years and would replace or supplement the current replay rules that has all replay reviews performed by the league office in New York.
The "Sky Judge" would be the eighth member of every officiating crew.
Also suggested -- by the competition committee itself -- would be closing the loophole that allows the clock to continue to run when the offense commits dead-ball penalties. Mike Tomlin is a member of the competition committee.
Competition Committee proposals are in.
Here’s a full look at the 2020 rules change proposals that clubs will consider at upcoming league meetings.
Get the full summary: https://t.co/fnUHUn9ugM pic.twitter.com/UYv5tO0D0U
— NFL Football Operations (@NFLFootballOps) April 10, 2020
That came into play late last season. It was first used by the Patriots late in the year to run additional time off the clock while New England was sitting on a lead.
It came back to bite the Patriots in the playoffs when they were upset by the Titans and coach Mike Vrabel had his team take multiple dead-ball penalties to run additional time off the clock.
The Eagles also suggested several modifications to the current rules, including moving overtime from 10 minutes back to the additional 15-minute quarter it was since its inception until the rule was changed a couple of years ago.
Owners are scheduled to meet May 18-20 in Marina del Rey, Calif.
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