INDIANAPOLIS — The NFL is contemplating modifications to its overtime regulations for the regular season, aiming to reduce the advantage held by teams that win the coin toss.

“It’s time to reevaluate the overtime rule,” stated Troy Vincent, a league executive, during the NFL scouting combine on Wednesday.

Vincent mentioned that the competition committee is in agreement that adjustments to the overtime rules are necessary. The current system has tilted the odds in favor of the team that receives the ball first, with overtime victories rising to 56.8% from 2017 to 2024, compared to 55.4% from 2001 to 2011, prior to the introduction of the current rule.

Under the existing overtime guidelines, both teams have the chance to possess the ball unless a touchdown is scored on the initial possession.

Playoff regulations differ in that both teams are guaranteed a possession, even if the offense scores a touchdown on the opening drive. This change was enacted following the Buffalo Bills’ divisional round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in January 2022.

Aligning the overtime rules for regular season games with playoff rules is one proposed approach, along with potentially lengthening the overtime period to 15 minutes.

Additionally, the NFL is set to implement a virtual measurement system to assess first downs starting in 2025. This system will not replace officials who manually spot the ball and employ chains; rather, it will provide instant notifications to officiating personnel on whether a first down has been achieved after the ball is placed.

“We used this technology in the background last season,” noted Kimberly Fields, the NFL’s senior vice president of football operations. “The objective for 2025 is to continue training our technicians who will operate this technology and finalize our officiating processes regarding virtual measurements. We aim to enhance the graphics for both in-stadium audiences and television viewers, while the chain crew remains available as a backup.”

The competition committee is also evaluating the potential expansion of replay assistance to cover additional infractions. However, Vincent indicated that “there was no appetite” within the committee to introduce video replay for penalty calls.

Teams may still propose rule changes to address this. Currently, if officials overlook a clear penalty, such as a face mask violation, the replay assist does not have the authority to call a foul.

In 2024, replay assist was utilized to offset flags related to roughing the passer (head or neck contact), unnecessary roughness (runner out of bounds), intentional grounding, and ineligible player downfield.

Possible expansions for 2025 may include penalties for roughing the passer (a hit below the knee), unnecessary roughness (against defenseless players), face mask violations, tripping, illegal crackback blocks, and horse-collar tackles, among others.

Vincent expressed a desire to reintroduce onside kicks while also establishing a permanent kickoff rule following a one-year trial of a dynamic kickoff format. The trial enhanced the excitement of kickoffs, leading to a higher rate of returns, but had an adverse impact on onside kick recoveries, which plummeted to a historic low of 3 out of 50 attempts.

“There is a universal understanding that we need to address this play,” Vincent remarked.

He added that there hasn’t been significant dialogue regarding a fourth-and-long option to maintain possession, although discussions may arise next month.

The tush push play, effectively executed by the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, has sparked considerable debate recently, especially after the Green Bay Packers proposed banning it. Some critics argue the play poses risks, but Vincent confirmed that the league did not record any injuries related to the play in 2024.