5 highlights from the NFL owners meeting
· Yahoo Sports
PHOENIX – The 2026 NFL owners meeting provided many storylines.
New rules were implemented, the NFL announced a flag football league, head coaches from the AFC and NFC had media availability, the possibility of replacement officials increased and several rumors emerged.
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The annual gathering of the league's owners and coaches takes place between the initial wave of free agency and the NFL draft. These meetings serve as a review of the previous year and are crucial for planning the upcoming season.
USA TODAY Sports covered the NFL owners' meetings at the Arizona Biltmore. Here are the highlights and key takeaways from this year's event.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell backs Rooney Rule
Goodell said the NFL believes in the Rooney Rule and its goal to identify diverse candidates in the hiring process. Goodell’s words were a direct response to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who sent a letter to the commissioner threatening legal action if the NFL doesn't abolish the rule.
“Well, one thing that doesn't change is our values. We believe diversity has been a benefit to the National Football League. We are well aware of the laws,” Goodell said at the NFL owners meeting. “We think the Rooney Rule is consistent with those.
“We certainly will engage with the Florida AG or anybody else, as we have in the past, to talk about our policies and what they are. The Rooney Rule is not that hiring mandate. It's intended to try to help, and it's been used by industries far beyond football, far beyond the United States, to help identify candidates and a diverse set of candidates bringing better talent and give us an opportunity to hire the best talent, ultimately.”
NFL’s flag football push
The NFL announced the launch of a new flag football league. The NFL is championing flag football as it strives to become a more global game and the league has a keen interest in the sport being played at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“I think it's a way our game is accessible, through flag football on a global basis. It's helping us internationally,” Goodell said. “I think the Olympics are going to be a wonderful stage for us to show that off. So, we're looking forward to LA.”
Rule changes
The NFL announced multiple rule changes. Most of the rule changes revolve around kickoffs, including the now-allowed declaration of onside kicks at any time. The NFL also implemented a contingency plan in the event there are replacement officials this season.
The playing rule changes are as follows:
- By Competition Committee; to permit the kicking team to declare an onside kick at any time during the game.
- By Competition Committee; to eliminate the kicking team's incentive to intentionally kick the ball out of bounds when kicking off from the 50-yard line.
- By Competition Committee; to modify the kickoff alignment requirements for the receiving team players in the setup zone.
- 4-A. By Competition Committee; to allow League personnel to consult with on-field officials when considering disqualifications for both flagrant football acts and non-football acts without being called on the field.
- By Competition Committee; for one year only, to allow the NFL Officiating department to correct clear and obvious mistakes made by on-field officials that impact the game, in the event that there is a work stoppage involving the game officials represented by the NFL Referees Association.
NFL on verge of replacement refs
It is possible the NFL will use replacement officials during the 2026 season. Goodell confirmed that negotiations between the NFL and NFL Referees Association haven’t progressed as the NFL Referees Association’s CBA is set to expire on May 31.
“The negotiations haven't progressed the way we hoped, from a timing standpoint,” Goodell said.
Coaches breakfast
The coaches breakfast at the NFL owners meeting is a standout highlight of the event. During this time, coaches from each conference gather at individual tables in a hotel ballroom, providing ample opportunity for reporters to engage with them.
This year, the NFC coaches held their media sessions on Monday, followed by the AFC coaches on Tuesday. The breakfast is an excellent opportunity to discuss a range of important topics, including free agency, trades, personnel moves, the upcoming draft, staff changes and more.
Among the many highlights during the coaches' breakfast, San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said the team isn't in a hurry to resolve the Brandon Aiyuk situation. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said he hopes George Pickens is in Dallas for the foreseeable future. Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid gave an update on Patrick Mahomes knee recovery and new Baltimore Ravens coach Jesse Minter said he's unsure if Lamar Jackson will participate in voluntary workouts.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL owners meeting highlights: Rooney Rule, flag football, rule changes