FRISCO, Texas – NFL owners voted at the annual league meetings in Palm Beach, Florida on various playing rules, bylaws and resolution proposals, some of which were passed on Tuesday while others were tabled for further discussion.
Cowboys COO and co-owner Stephen Jones is the co-chair of the NFL's competition committee, which discusses the proposals submitted by themselves and teams, creating reports for their statistical findings on each one and presents them to all 32 owners at the annual meeting.
Here's are some of the notable changes coming to the NFL in 2025, and how they could help the Cowboys:
No more CeeDee Lamb "nose wipe" celebration
This change was not something voted upon by NFL owners in Palm Beach, but CeeDee Lamb's favorite celebration, the "nose wipe", was banned in the league's rule book after being categorized as a "violent gesture."
The NFL's executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent added that the celebration had "gang connotations" this week. Additionally, the rule change added throat slashes and brandishing a gun as new terminology to the ban, which if performed will now result in a 15-yard penalty.
Changes to the dynamic kickoff rule
The league viewed the new dynamic kickoff as a success in 2024, where it was implemented on a one-year trial basis and revolutionized special teams play. Now, it's here to stay and will have some new changes in 2025.
The change to the rule comes on the touchback, where the ball will now come out to the receiving team's 35-yard line if the kickoff results in a touchback. Last season, it came out to the 30. The goal is to incentivize more teams to stay away from touchbacks and increase the amount of returns.
If that's the case and teams are kicking out of the back of the endzone less, then it's great news for KaVontae Turpin. Fresh off a First-Team All Pro kick returner campaign and with a new contract, any opportunity Turpin gets to return the ball is one that the Cowboys and new special teams coordinator Nick Sorensen will gladly take.
Playoff overtime rule moves to the regular season
After the NFL implemented a rule where both teams were given a possession in overtime in the playoffs in 2022, it'll now be the league's format in the regular and postseason.
The change that comes in the regular season is a reduction in the playing period from 15 to 10 minutes, meaning that if there is still no winner after the period passes, a tie will ensue.
The Cowboys have not played in an overtime game since 2022 and are 1-3 in their last four games that have gone to an extra period.
Other notable changes:
- Instant replay assistance will now be expanded to help officials on specific, objectives of a play and/or game administration issues when there is clear and obvious video evidence.
- The league will now use Sony's Hawk-Eye technology to enforce and measure the line to gain in the 2025 season. It still won't be end of the chain gang, who will remain on the field in a backup capacity.
- Teams will now get to have one video/phone call with no more than five future unrestricted free agents during the two-day legal tampering period before free agency. Clubs will be allowed to arrange travel if the two sides agree to terms.
- Just like how teams go through a process to submit game balls before gameday, they'll now be able to do the same for kicking balls, also known as "K-Balls."
- Teams can now designate two players for return at the roster reduction to 53 players and postseason teams will get two additional DFR designations, bumping up the maximum amount from 8 to 10.
- If a team is in contention for the postseason, they can now receive scouting credentials for Weeks 17 and 18 for potential playoff opponents. Additionally, teams that host Wild Card games will provide scouting credentials to all teams within their conference that are in the postseason and serve as potential opponents down the line.
