NFL might consider allowing replay officials to call fouls for ‘non-football acts’

According to ESPN, the NFL Competition Committee could consider a major change in the rules that will allow the replay official to call a foul for “non-football acts.”

This rule change would allow the replay official to call a foul on a cheap-shot or punch that the on-field crew might miss.

As the rules stand now, instant replay can step in and determine if a player or players should be ejected only if a member of the on-field crew throws a penalty flag for unnecessary roughness or unsportsmanlike conduct.

The rules change consideration came up after Super Bowl LX, where the officials didn’t throw a flag in the middle of a fracas. If the rule was changed, instant replay could have stepped in and penalized a punch the officials missed.

This rule change idea would only apply for “non-football acts.” In other words, replay could not put down a flag for holding, pass interference, an illegal block, false start, offside or any other football related act. This rule change is to catch and penalize the cheap shots and cause a loss of yardage or an automatic first down in real time.

At this point, the idea is only in the “mulling over” stage. We don’t have a formal list of proposed rule changes or the Competition Committee agenda. But don’t be surprised if this idea gets a serious look later this spring.

On another note, my prediction is looking pretty good at the moment!