Detroit Lions propose multiple NFL rule changes

The NFL revealed rules change proposals submitted by teams, and the Detroit Lions were not shy about it.

NFL free agency frenzy started on Monday, but the league also revealed the list of rule changes which were submitted by teams via NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. It’s safe to say the Detroit Lions took the invitation to submit proposals pretty seriously.

"4. By Detroit; amends Rule 15, Section 3, Article 9, to expand the coaches’ challenge system to include personal fouls called on the field.5. By Detroit; amends Rule 15, Section 1, to provide clubs more opportunities for a thirdchallenge.6. By Detroit; amends Rule 15, Section 3, to expand the Replay Official’s jurisdiction to allowfor consultation regarding penalty assessment"

And there’s one more, which the San Francisco 49ers will particularly appreciate:

"By Detroit; amends Article XVII, Section 17.3, to allow a club to designate an emergency third quarterback from its Inactive List or Practice Squad who would be eligible to enter a game in the event the first two quarterbacks on the game day Active List are ruled “Out.”"

Detroit Lions rules proposal changes address things that impacted them

The Detroit Lions had a chance to make the playoffs with a Week 18 win over the Green Bay Packers, if the Los Angeles Rams-Seattle Seahawks game went the right way–a Rams win. The league openly acknowledged how the Lions were ultimately screwed over by the awful officiating in that game, and Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press recalled the details.

"The Seahawks tied that game with a 16-play, fourth-quarter drive that was kept alive by a questionable running-into-the-kicker penalty. Two series later, Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey was called for unnecessary roughness. Seahawks receiver D.K. Metcalf retaliated by poking his hand into Ramsey’s face but was not penalized, and Seattle missed the game-winning kick at the end of regulation.In overtime, Seahawks safety and ex-Lion Quandre Diggs intercepted a Baker Mayfield pass to set up the winning field goal and was not penalized after he taunted the Rams sideline following the pick."

Under the Lions’ rule change proposals, both of the plays Birkett mentioned could have been challenged by Rams’ head coach Sean McVay or subject to a Replay Official stopping play for a penalty to possibly be assessed–likely, in both of those situations if they could have been looked at again somehow.

Those blantantly missed calls impacted the outcome of a game that effected who got a playoff spot. The NFL quickly acknowledged, obviously, it cannot have that happen if at all possible.

It just happens to be the Lions who were negatively impacted when it was all said and done in Week 18, and thus it’s them proposing to have personal fouls subject to challenge or part of a replay official’s jurisdiction in terms of a penalty to be assessed. It shouldn’t be much trouble to get the minimum 24 of 32 teams to vote to approve at least one of those two amendments.