During the last few months, there have been a number of NFL rule changes that will affect the Minnesota Vikings and every other team in the league next season.
Rule changes happen every year in the NFL, and this offseason was no different, as multiple changes were made to the league's rule book. The Minnesota Vikings and the other 31 NFL teams will now have to spend parts of their upcoming training camp and preseason to learn these new rules and make sure they are properly adjusted before the start of the regular season.
NFL rule changes for the upcoming 2023 season
Below is a list of all the NFL rule changes that have been approved this offseason.
Fair catches on kickoffs
A touchback will now be ruled if a team elects to fair-catch the ball on a kickoff from in between the goal line and the 25-yard line. With this now being classified as a touchback, teams will begin their offensive drive from their own 25-yard line if this scenario is executed.
New jersey numbers allowed
All NFL players are now permitted to wear the No. 0 on their jersey, and the jersey number selection for kickers and punters has expanded to any non-retired number between 0-49 and 90-99.
Change to the definition of "a launch"
Only one foot off of the ground when attempting to make a hit is now necessary for a hit to be classified as a launch and a personal foul. Before, both of a player's feet would have to leave the ground when attempting to make a hit in order for that hit to be considered a launch.
Tripping is now a personal foul
Teams will now be penalized 15 yards if they are flagged for tripping during a game. An automatic first down will also be awarded to the opposing offense if the tripping infraction is committed by a member of the defense.
Stricter guidelines for read-option handoffs
All handoffs during a read-option play must be parallel to or behind the quarterback. Any handoffs made in front of the quarterback will now considered an illegal forward pass and penalized five yards.
Change made to a postseason tiebreaker
Instead of conference record being used as the second tiebreaker after head-to-head record to determine playoff seeding, the second tiebreaker will now be strength of victory.
Preseason roster cutdown change
Instead of multiple cuts made throughout the preseason, each NFL team will now be required to keep 90 players on their roster for the entire preseason and then reduce their roster to 53 by Tuesday, August 29th.
Flex scheduling for Thursday night games
The NFL will be trying out flex scheduling for Thursday night games during the 2023 season. Only contests between Weeks 13 and 17 are eligible, and in order for a matchup to be flexed to Thursday night, it must meet the following requirements.
- Both teams must be informed at least 28 days ahead of time that their game is being flexed to Thursday night
- Teams cannot play more than two Thursday night games in one season
- Teams cannot play two Thursday night games on the road in one season (at least one must be played at home)
- Teams can only have a game flexed to Thursday night once during a single season
- A team is not eligible to have a game flexed to Thursday night if it results in the team exceeding the maximum of seven primetime matchups allowed in a single season
- Games currently with the "TBD" label are eligible to be flexed to a Thursday night if the other requirements are met