For the first time since 2019, NFL teams are convening at The Breakers resort in Palm Beach, Florida, as part of the annual owners’ meetings.
On Tuesday morning, NFC head coaches spoke to the media about a wide range of topics regarding their respective teams. Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay revealed the team is still in talks with free-agent linebacker Bobby Wagner and confirmed Aaron Donald will return next season.
Later in the day brought even bigger news as NFL owners approved a new rule that guarantees both teams a possession in overtime of playoff games, via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com:
Playing Rule Proposal 1 was amended. Both teams are now guaranteed a possession in overtime — but it’s now postseason only. It was approved, per source.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 29, 2022
The Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles were the teams that proposed the overtime change and originally asked that it apply to all games, including the regular season.
However, competition committee chairman Rich McKay said there was not enough support to pass the rule unless due to player safety concerns. Thus, it was amended to playoff games only.
The proposal ultimately passed by a vote of 29-3, with only the Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings voting against the rule.
NFL owners were willing to discuss potential changes to overtime after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Buffalo Bills during the divisional playoff round with an opening-possession touchdown.
Under the previous playoff format that was adopted in 2010, seven of 12 overtime games have been won on the opening possession, and 10 of those 12 were won by the team that won the coin toss.
With both teams now guaranteed one possession, those numbers may even out over time. If the score remains tied after each team possesses the ball, the playoff game will be decided in traditional sudden death.
