There were more than a dozen proposed rule changes which were to be discussed at the NFL's annual owner's meetings in Boca Raton, Florida this week - 18 to be exact. Of those 18 proposed rule changes, seven have been approved. Among notable changes are the expulsion of chop blocks from all players and the PAT being permanently set at the 15-yard line. Below is a look at the seven approved rule changes for next season, as described by NFL.com. More potential rule changes will be discussed on Wednesday.
- Permanently moves the line of scrimmage for Try kicks to the defensive team's 15-yard line, and allows the defense to return any missed Try.
- Permits the offensive and defensive play callers on the coaching staffs to use the coach-to-player communication system regardless of whether they are on the field or in the coaches' booth.
- Makes all chop blocks illegal.
- Expands the horse collar rule to include when a defender grabs the jersey at the name plate or above and pulls a runner toward the ground.
- Makes it a foul for delay of game when a team attempts to call a timeout when it is not permitted to do so.
- Eliminates the five-yard penalty for an eligible receiver illegally touching a forward pass after being out of bounds and re-establishing himself inbounds, and makes it a loss of down.
- Eliminates multiple spots of enforcement for a double foul after a change of possession.
