The NFL is taking a hard look at its regular-season overtime rules, and change could be on the way for 2025.

With teams that win the coin toss holding a clear advantage, the league's competition committee is considering aligning the regular-season overtime rules with the postseason format.

The NFL is taking a fresh look at its regular-season overtime rules, and modifications could be in the works for the 2025 season. As teams that win the coin toss have been observed to hold a substantial advantage, the league’s competition committee is contemplating aligning the regular-season overtime regulations with the postseason format.

Overtime Rule Change Under Review

Troy Vincent, NFL executive vice president of football operations, confirmed that the league’s competition committee recognizes the need for adjustments to the overtime rules. Currently, in regular-season games, overtime comes to an end when the first team to gain possession manages to score a touchdown. In contrast, postseason overtime guarantees both teams at least one offensive possession.

In 2024, teams that emerged victorious in the overtime coin toss went on to win 12 out of 16 games, boasting a 75% win rate. This statistic has sparked concerns about fairness. On average, only 11.6 plays were made during each overtime period, making it the second-lowest rate in the past two decades. The first-drive touchdown percentage stood at 37.5%, further emphasizing the advantage of receiving the ball first.

“They felt there shouldn’t be a rule for the regular season that’s different from the postseason. They just wanted a consistent rule. Let the guys play,” Vincent said.

If approved, the new rule would ensure that both teams have an offensive possession in regular-season overtime, no matter what happens on the first drive. After each team had a chance to score, the game moved to sudden death. Overtime would also return to a full 15-minute period instead of the current 10-minute limit.

According to Vincent, this change would not significantly increase the number of plays.

“We’re not trying to create more plays; we’re trying to create more offense,” he said.

Coaches also felt strongly about aligning the regular-season and postseason overtime rules.

“They felt there shouldn’t be a rule for the regular season that’s different from the postseason. They just wanted a consistent rule. Let the guys play,” Vincent said.

For this proposal to take effect, at least 24 of the NFL’s 32 owners must approve the change at the Annual League Meeting, scheduled for March 30-April 2 in Palm Beach, Florida.

Replay Assistance And Measurement Changes Also On The Table

The NFL is also considering expanding replay assistance for certain fouls, but only if those fouls are called on the field. Allowing the league office to intervene with penalty flags is a “nonstarter,” Vincent said.

Meanwhile, the NFL plans to introduce Hawk-Eye technology as the primary system for measuring the line to gain in regular-season games starting in 2025. The traditional chain gang will remain on the sidelines as a backup.

What’s Next For The NFL?

The competition committee’s recommendations will be discussed during the Annual League Meeting. If the proposed overtime rule change passes, teams must adapt their strategies for handling overtime situations in the regular season. The goal is to ensure a fairer outcome and reduce the coin toss’s impact on determining the game’s winner.

The data clearly shows an increasing advantage for teams winning the toss, so the NFL appears ready to act. The final decision will come down to the owners’ vote in March.