NFL owners pass significant onside kick rule change for 2025 season

NFL owners have passed an onside kick rule change for the 2025 season. Per Dianna Russini of The Athletic, teams can now declare onside kicks at any point during a game if they are trailing.

Onside kicks will be kicked from the 34-yard line instead of the 35. The previous rule only allowed for teams to declare an onside kick during the fourth quarter. Surprise onside kicks, such as the one the New Orleans Saints pulled off in Super Bowl XLIV, will continue to not be permitted. The updated onside kick rule passed at the spring owners meeting in Eagan, Minn, on Wednesday.

Other potential rule changes are at play, needing approval from at least 24-of-32 owners to pass. None are more notable than the “tush push.” Initially, the tush push issue was tabled until these meetings in May. The Green Bay Packers were at the forefront of pushing the ban. They even submitted a revised proposal this week.

Report: NFL owners expected to vote to ban ‘tush push’ play

The tush push is a quarterback sneak play in which several players get behind the quarterback and attempt to push him past the first down marker. It’s been a highly effective play for Philadelphia, allowing them to move the chains on third/fourth and short situations. Jalen Hurts has benefitted from the play at the goal line, with 42 rushing scores over the last three seasons.

Other teams have tried, but nobody has perfected the tush push like the Eagles. But the one thing the NFL could be looking at is the safety element of the play. Last year, the league outlawed the hip-drop tackle and introduced a new dynamic kickoff format.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is a “strong proponent” of banning the play, according to Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Russini reported ahead of Wednesday’s vote that it’s likely the play will be banned.

“Hours away from the owners’ vote surrounding the future of the tush push, I’m told both the league’s competition and players’ health and safety committees have voted to ban the play,” Russini wrote on X. “Despite the Eagles’ best efforts, the tush push is likely on its way out, sources say.”

On3’s Nick Kosko contributed to this report.