More changes are being made to the NFL rulebook and now the final two minutes of each half could be extended as officials are required to add more time on after reviews
The NFL have made multiple rule changes ahead of the 2023 season, and now games could be even longer with their latest adjustments.
The alteration to the fair catch rule already received backlash from fans as they feel the NFL is trying too hard to encourage offense and that plays could become more artificial. But now Football Operations have confirmed that the final two minutes of each half will also be changed.
When the two-minute warning is in play, it is common to see teams run their offense on fourth down, leaving their kicker for when they’re in field goal position depending on how much time is left. Instant replay decisions are often used to determine ball position in pressurised moments, with the play clock set to 25 seconds if replays determine a reversal of the on-field call.
But now the NFL will add 40 seconds to the clock instead, adding more time to the game in big moments. 15 seconds extra may not sound like a lot, but over the course of the season it will certainly add up.