NFL Changes Overtime Rules but Keeps Some Controversies

Palm Beach, Florida – At the 2025 NFL Annual Meeting, the league’s 32 owners voted to revise the overtime rules for the regular season, now ensuring that both teams will get a possession in overtime. However, a proposal to extend the duration of the regular-season overtime from 10 minutes to 15 minutes was voted down.

The decision marks a significant change for how overtime will play out in the NFL, following criticism that the previous setup favored the team winning the coin toss. Under the old rules, a team could win a game outright by scoring a touchdown on its first possession, thereby denying the opposing team a chance to respond.

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles, a member of the NFL Competition Committee, expressed his approval of the new rule, stating, “I’m all for both teams getting the football. At least it gives you a chance. It gives you a fair chance.” Bowles acknowledged, however, that clock management could impact the flow of the overtime period.

“If one team holds the ball long and you’re in the two-minute mode, we’ll see,” he said, referencing the initial team possession strategy. “But most of the teams score on the first possession anyway. But to give the other team a chance to get the ball back, I think it’ll add some excitement to the game.”

The proposal that was not approved would have matched the playoff format of a full 15-minute overtime, which some argue is a fairer approach. The rejected extension would have allowed both teams more time, making it less likely for one team to play in a hurry-up mode with limited opportunities.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the outcome of the meeting, highlighting the necessity of the changes after the controversy surrounding teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In both 2024 season overtime games, Tampa lost without their offense taking the field, underscoring the urgency for change among coaches and players alike.

NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent underscored the need for these changes, stating, “It’s time to rethink the overtime rule,” reflecting a growing consensus within the league that the previous format required an overhaul.

Although the rule change has been welcomed by many, including players and coaches pushing for equity in opportunities, others see the potential pitfalls. For teams winning the initial coin toss, there is now a risk of the opposing team receiving a fair shot at possession, thus reducing the initial advantage the winning team enjoyed. Vincent acknowledged that the updated rule might lead to more intense overtime strategies from both teams.

As discussions continue, it remains likely that the proposal for extending the overtime duration will resurface in future meetings, as various stakeholders in the league push for fairness and excitement in the game.