NFL owners will play waiting game on adding in-booth official 

Despite the backing of the NFL’s competition committee, a potential change in the league’s officiating structure won’t happen when owners convene on Thursday via video conference.

The idea of adding an official in a booth above the field had gained traction with the committee, but the idea won’t be adopted for the regular season. It’s possible the league will experiment in the preseason with the plan, which would allow the video official to call penalties in the event they are missed by the on-field officials. NFL Network first reported that the league would not adopt the plan for the 2020 season. One reason the idea was pulled was the lack of officials qualified to fill all the positions required.

Another rule the owners won’t be considering: the continuation of a replay challenge system that was introduced in 2019 on a one-year basis to address pass interference calls and non-calls. The idea has been scrapped after the system was marred by inconsistent application of the replays.

The league will consider an alternative to onside kicks, where teams would have the option of trying to convert a fourth-and-15 from its own 25 after a field goal or touchdown. A successful conversion would allow the team to retain possession. It is possible the league will introduce the onside kick rule for preseason games only to see how it might work. The idea was rejected by owners last year.

At least 24 of the league’s 32 owners would have to approve any rules change.

Other rules being considered:

•       A permanent expansion of replay reviews after scoring plays and turnovers that have been negated by penalties, as well as any successful or unsuccessful extra-point attempt.

•       Giving the defense the option for the game clock to re-start if it declines an offensive penalty that occurs in the final minutes of each half.

•       Preventing a team from committing multiple dead-ball fouls while the clock is running.  

•       Expanding defenseless player protection to a punt returner or kickoff returner who hasn’t had enough time to prepare for contact by an opponent.

The Eagles had proposed a rule to make the overtime period 15 minutes instead of 10 minutes, but the team has since withdrawn the idea.

By Bob Glauber

Special to NewsdayBobGlauber

Bob Glauber retired in 2022 after covering the NFL for nearly 40 years. He was selected in 2021 for the Bill Nunn Career Achievement Award by the Pro Football Writers of America, and is a three-time winner of the New York State Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. President of the PFWA for the 2018-20 seasons, he is the author of “The Forgotten First” and “Guts and Genius.”