The NFL is holding its annual spring league meeting in Minneapolis.
Several announcements were made this week, including the host cities for Super Bowl LX (2026) and the 2025 NFL Draft, flexed scheduling for Thursday Night Football, the return of the “third quarterback rule,” and a delay in approving a rule change that would allow teams to get the ball on their own 25-yard line after making a fair catch on a kickoff.
Las Vegas (2024) and New Orleans (2025) were previously announced as the hosts for the next two Super Bowls, and San Francisco’s Levi’s Stadium has been named the home of Super Bowl LX.
“We are honored to host the Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium once again and to be stewards of one of the biggest sporting events in the world,” 49ers President AL Guido said in a press release. “Since hosting Super Bowl 50 in 2016, Levi’s Stadium has cemented its reputation as a world-class venue. I’m confident Super Bowl LX will be a terrific event that benefits the entire community.”
The league also announced that Green Bay will host the 2025 Draft after losing previous bids for the event.
“This is an incredible day for the Packers, Greater Green Bay and the entire state of Wisconsin as we are excited and honored to be selected to host the 2025 NFL Draft,” said Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy, in the league’s official press release.
“The Packers have a rich and proud history that goes back to the early days of the NFL and are the only community-owned team. That connection to our league’s heritage combined with the great passion Packers fans will bring will make the Draft a memorable event for those in attendance and NFL fans watching around the world,” Murphy said.
Owners were expected to approve a new rule that allowed teams to get the ball on their own 25-yard-line following a fair catch on kickoffs, as they do in college. However, the approval is no longer expected to happen this week as opposing views have strengthened.
NFL owners have approved flexed scheduling for Thursday Night Football that can move games from Thursday to Sunday or conversely from Sunday to Thursday during Weeks 13 through 17 — the last five weeks that include Thursday night games.
According to Yahoo Sports, only two games can be flexed per season, and the changes must occur with at least 28 days’ notice.
The owners have also passed a proposal allowing teams to have a third emergency quarterback on game days.
Teams will be allowed to designate one player from their 53-man roster who is not initially active for the game to become active should both its active quarterbacks get injured. If one of the injured quarterbacks returns, the emergency quarterback is considered inactive again unless further injuries force him back into the game.
The San Francisco 49ers were the most prominent example of why the rule was put into place, having to turn to running back Christian McCaffrey last season while dealing with many quarterback injuries in the playoffs that decimated their passing game at crucial times.
“Definitely be in favor of it,” San Francisco Head Coach Kyle Shanahan said when asked about bringing the rule back after the season. “We were scared to death whenever that rule ended, however many years ago that was, but you kind of forget about it since you don’t really see anyone go through it, then you get reminded of how quickly a football game’s over once that happens.”
“I think it’d be good for football,” General Manager John Lynch added. “You’re always trying to develop these guys, but you’re always weighing carrying three as opposed to the roster value of being able to host a full complement of position players at different positions. I think if the league just gave you an out there, everybody would be forced to do it, you get more people in camps improving, and I think it’d be good for football.”
Approving the sale of the Washington Commanders is not on this week’s agenda.
Owner Daniel Snyder has reached an agreement to sell the team to a group led by Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils owner Josh Harris that also includes NBA legend Magic Johnson. The deal is for a record $6 billion but will need to be approved by 24 of the league’s 32 owners to become official.
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The NFL has ruled that no tampering occurred between the Washington Commanders and ex-Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. The Colts suspected that Washington had contacted Luck as part of their efforts to upgrade the quarterback position last offseason, which would have been a violation because the Colts still hold his rights.
However, the NFL discovered that Washington did not contact Luck or any of his connections directly, avoiding a tampering violation.
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According to ESPN, the NFL is investigating a possible second wave of gambling violations among players.
NFL players can place bets on other sports but cannot do so from team facilities.
The league has suspended seven players, one assistant coach, and an undefined number of team staff members in the last five years and has enlisted companies to help develop systems to track prohibited bets in the future.
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The Dallas Cowboys were one of 20 NFL teams to begin organized team activities (OTAs) this week.
OTAs include four weeks of non-padded practices that are entirely voluntary, but mandatory minicamps also happen during that time.
Dallas will have OTAs on May 22, 23, 25, and 30 and June 1, 2, 13, and 15.
The mandatory minicamp is scheduled for June 6-8.
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