The NFL Annual League Meeting is back. Canceled due to COVID-19 in 2020 and virtual in 2021, the owners meetings, as they’re colloquially known, will again be fully in-person, beginning March 27. Here’s everything you need to know about one of the most important weeks on the NFL calendar.
When and where is the NFL Annual League Meeting?
- Dates: March 27-30
- City: Palm Beach, Fla.
- Location: The Breakers, Palm Beach
What’s on the agenda at the NFL Annual League Meeting?
More than two dozen committees and subcommittees populated by some of the biggest names in football will meet in paradise over four days. During that time, those groups will discuss and perhaps devise changes to NFL rules and policies, both on the field and off.
Will NFL change the overtime format?
Is this the year the NFL finally fixes its overtime format? There’s never been more scrutiny and pressure to do so than after the Bills-Chiefs playoff game, when Kansas City scored a touchdown on the first possession of OT to end the game.
If the Eagles and Colts have their way, that will never happen again. Their OT proposal? Let both teams have a chance to possess the ball, and if the game is tied after both teams’ first drives, the next team to score wins. The Titans proposed a similar change, with one exception — if the team that possesses the ball first scores a touchdown and successfully goes for 2, they win.
Both proposals could be amended when they reach the floor. Rules changes need 24 yes votes to be adopted.
“I do think there’s a lot of momentum to have a change,” said Rich McKay, chairman of the NFL’s Competition Committee.
Other potential 2022 NFL rule changes
The Competition Committee didn’t weigh in on potential OT changes. But it will propose making permanent the temporary free kick formation change implemented in the 2021 season that established a maximum number of players in the setup zone.
Ownership will also consider at least two other off-the-field NFL rule changes.
The first would prohibit teams still in the playoffs from signing players who have been cut by teams whose seasons have ended.
The second would change the anti-tampering rules in a way that gives teams the choice of keeping their player personnel staff members coveted by other teams to fill secondary football executive positions through the draft. This modification would not impact candidates for general manager openings.
NFL Competition Committee members
- Rich McKay (chairman), Atlanta Falcons
- Katie Blackburn, Cincinnati Bengals
- Chris Grier, Miami Dolphins
- Stephen Jones, Dallas Cowboys
- John Mara, New York Giants
- Ozzie Newsome, Baltimore Ravens
- Frank Reich, Indianapolis Colts
- Ron Rivera, Washington Commanders
- Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Mike Vrabel, Tennessee Titans
Other NFL committee and subcommittee chairs
Coaches Subcommittee
Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs
General Managers Advisory Committee
Rick Spielman, unaffiliated; Tom Telesco, Los Angeles Chargers
Subcommittee on College Relations
John Schneider, Seattle Seahawks
Future of Football
Paraag Marathe, San Francisco 49ers; John Spanos, Los Angeles Chargers
Player Safety Advisory Panel
Curtis Martin; Ronnie Lott
Health and Safety Advisory Committee
John York, San Francisco 49ers
Finance Committee
Clark Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs
Audit Committee
Cal McNair, Houston Texans
Compensation Committee
Robert Kraft, New England Patriots
Investment Committee
Jimmy Haslam, Cleveland Browns
Employee Benefits Committee
Ted Phillips, Chicago Bears
Stadium Committee
Mark Wilf, Minnesota Vikings
Stadium Security and Fan Behavior
Michael Bidwell, Arizona Cardinals
Media Committee
Robert Kraft, New England Patriots
Media O&O Committee
Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys
Business Ventures Committee
Shahid Khan, Jacksonville Jaguars
Fan Engagement and Major Events Committee
Jonathan Kraft, New England Patriots
International Committee
Joel Glazer, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Legislative Committee
Jim Irsay, Indianapolis Colts
Conduct Committee
Michael Bidwill, Arizona Cardinals
NFL Foundation
Charlotte Jones, Dallas Cowboys
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
Art Rooney II, Pittsburgh Steelers
Hall of Fame Committee
Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys
Social Justice Working Group
Kelvin Beachum, Arizona Cardinals
Legalized Sports Betting
Shahid Khan, Jacksonville Jaguars
Management Council Executive Committee
John Mara, New York Giants
CEC Executive Working Group
Chris Ballard, Indianapolis Colts
CBA Player Benefit Plans Committee
Katie Blackburn, Cincinnati Bengals