NFL Approves these new 2023 Playing Rules, Bylaws, and Resolutions

Last week we shared all the proposed playing rules, bylaws, and resolutions that would be voted on at the annual League Meetings, and today the NFL revealed the items that were approved.

To recap all the proposals hit this link and read on for all the new stuff we’ll be hearing about when watching games this upcoming season.

2023 Approved Playing Rules Summary

1. By Philadelphia; amends Rule 5, Section 1, Article 2, to permit the use of zero (“0”) as a jersey numeral; to allow kickers and punters to use any jersey numeral between 0-49 and 90-99.

3. By Los Angeles Chargers; amends Rule 4, Section 6, Article 3 and Section 7, Article 4, to make the adjustment of the play clock following an Instant Replay reversal consistent with other timing rules.

7. By Houston; amends Rule 15, Section 1, Article 2, to expand the Replay Official’s jurisdiction to allow for review on failed fourth down attempts.

10. By Competition Committee; to change the definition of a launch to leaving one or both feet.

11. By Competition Committee; to make the penalty for tripping a personal foul.

12. By Competition Committee; to make the penalty for illegally handing the ball forward consistent with other illegal acts, such as illegal forward passes.

13. By Competition Committee; to make the penalty for illegal punts, drop kicks, or placekicks consistent with other illegal acts, such as illegal forward passes.

15. By Competition Committee; to prevent the offense from benefitting by an extension of the half as a result of their foul.

17. By Competition Committee; to clarify use of the helmet against an opponent by removing the “butt, ram, spear” language from Article 8 and incorporating those actions into Impermissible Use of the Helmet.

Some no-brainers were approved, but some of the additional replay reviews were not.

Also not making the cut was the fun 4th and 20 instead of an onsides kick rule that was proposed.

The ability to wear the number 0 has piqued the interest of a currently rehabbing Chicago Bears wide receiver.

2023 Approved Bylaws Summary

3. By Competition Committee; to change the claiming period to Monday for players who are waived on the Friday and Saturday of the last week of the regular season.

4. By Competition Committee; to insert Strength of Victory as the second tiebreaker for awarding contracts.

5. By Competition Committee; to adjust the rules for postseason signings to account for standard elevations rule; to freeze postseason rosters at 4:00 PM New York Time on the Wednesday following the last week of the regular season.

No emergency third quarterback approved, and no reseeding of wildcard teams in the postseason based on a better record was approved either.

2023 Approved Resolutions Summary

G-2. By Buffalo; to make the regular season and postseason roster transaction deadlines the same; changes the transaction deadline for Saturday night postseason games to 4:00 p.m., New York time on Saturday.

G-3. By Los Angeles Chargers; to provide greater clarity as to a player’s availability for a game.

G-4. By New Orleans, Atlanta, Baltimore, Buffalo, Carolina, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Green Bay, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota, New York Jets, Philadelphia, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Tennessee, Washington; to establish one preseason roster reduction date and related procedures.

Only one cutdown day following the final preseason game will make for a busy cutdown tracker. Also, the resolution to have play clocks display tenths of a second for the final 30 seconds of each half was not approved.

UPDATE: The NFL also approved allowing teams to play two Thursday Night Football games in a season, but they tabled (for now) the discussion on flexible TNF scheduling. In case you didn't know, this year marks the first time late-season Monday Night Football games can be flexed to ensure more attractive matchups.

From NBC’s Pro Football Talk:

“We’re interested in making sure that we get exposure for all of our clubs. We also believe that these national windows are for clubs that are playing well,” Brian Rolapp, the NFL’s executive vice president/chief media and business officer, said. “We want to put the best teams in the best windows.”

Teams can now play twice on a short week, and the maximum number of prime-time contests allowed per club is seven.

What are your thoughts on these approved rules, bylaws, and resolutions?