Ravens Offseason: Proposed NFL Rules Changes Include Alternate Onside Kick, Roughing the Passer Revisions

Rules that allow for a fourth-and-15 play rather than the traditional onside kick have been scrapped by the league before, but it looks like it's back on the table after having success in the XFL.

Reports surfaced last weekend that an NFL team was attempting to make roughing the passer penalties available for review. But that's not the only thing the league is considering with regard to rule changes.

Per Pro Football Talk, the Washington Post reported that the Los Angeles Rams were the team that wanted to address roughing the passer. There are also several other proposed rule changes for the Competition Committee and the NFL to consider.

One of those for consideration is an onside kick alternative.

Rules that allow for a fourth-and-15 play rather than the traditional onside kick have been scrapped by the league before, but it looks like it's back on the table.

The XFL 3.0 has a rule that allows for a fourth-and-15 from a team's own 25-yard line that can be used in the fourth quarter only. If that team converts, they keep the ball. If not, it's a turnover on downs and the opposing team gets the ball at the line of scrimmage.

This has already come into play at least one time in the XFL's young season, allowing the St. Louis Battlehawks and quarterback A.J. McCarron to come from behind with under two minutes for a win in Week 1.

The league is also considering reprising the rule allowing a team to dress a third quarterback. This was discussed league-wide after the San Francisco 49ers were left with no healthy quarterbacks in the NFL Championship loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in January.

Another proposal for consideration is to increase the number of challenges teams have available after a previous successful challenge. No specifics were available. 

---

Follow Timm Hamm on Twitter and Instagram

Listen to the Baltimore Ravens Daily Blitz Podcast

Follow Raven Country on Twitter

Ravens Alert! Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Baltimore Ravens?