While there appears to be some openness to discussing changes to NFL overtime rules, the decision on what format to adopt may prove divisive. Two proposals had already been tabled, but a third option is reportedly gaining momentum in the late stages of discussion.
The third proposal, which is being referred to as “extended period” sudden-death overtime, has been discussed at the highest levels of the league and is gaining some support, according to Albert Breer of The MMQB. The “extended period” format differs from the other tabled proposals in that it would effectively be a continuation of where the fourth quarter ended.
For instance, if a team had the ball at midfield in a tie game at the end of regulation, that team would then keep possession at the same spot to start overtime. The overtime period would be treated like the transition between the first and second or third and fourth quarters, in that the game situation would remain the same despite the previous period ending. The appeal of this proposal is that possession would be earned, and the coin toss would be totally removed from the equation.
The other two proposals are meant to ensure that each team gets a possession in overtime. There appears to be some resistance to those ideas, and with 24 teams needing to approve, only a handful of franchises can object without sinking the proposals. Perhaps this third option will be more palatable to some teams that are on the fence.
Photo: Apr 29, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announces the final pick of the 2021 NFL Draft for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
