Looking at the 6 bylaws and 3 resolutions proposed for the NFL

In addition to the 15 rule change proposals, there were 6 bylaws and 3 resolutions proposed to be voted on this week at the NFL meetings. We’ll recap each of the bylaw and resolution proposals below, along with some commentary on each.

BYLAWS

1. By Washington; Amends Article XVII, Section 17.1 to eliminate the mandatory cutdown to 75 Active List players.

I feel like this is a recurring proposal by Washington. On can see both sides of the coin — if we’re going to have that fourth preseason game, then it’s actually better to have more players on the low-end of the roster available for it. However, I think it’s also good to have a staggered release process. Other teams can weed through both rounds of cuts over a two-week span instead of everything happening all at once.

2. By Washington; Amends Article XVII, Section 17.14 to place a player who has suffered a concussion, and who has not been cleared to play, on the club’s Exempt List, and be replaced by a player on the club’s Practice Squad on a game-by-game basis until the player is cleared to play.

I don’t think this will pass, but I think it would be a positive change given the importance placed on concussions. The bylaw says that if a player is in the concussion protocol, they can be exempt from the 53-man roster so the team can call someone up from the practice squad temporarily.

3. By Washington; Amends Article XIX, Sections 19.8(B) and 19.9(B) to permit clubs to opt out of the “color rush” jerseys created for Thursday Night Football.

This bylaw says that if a team doesn’t want to participate in the TNF “Color Rush” uniforms, they don’t have to.

4. By Competition Committee; Liberalizes rules for timing, testing, and administering physical examinations to draft-eligible players at a club’s facility for one year only.

This bylaw would be a one-year trial — it includes workout language for draft prospects that attempts to “make the college scouting process more equitable for all clubs.”

5. By Competition Committee; Changes the procedures for returning a player on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform or Reserve/Non-Football Injury or Illness to the Active List to be similar to those for returning a player that was Designated for Return.

This bylaw would allow a player to remain on the Reserve/PUP or Reserve/NFI list later into the season than currently allowed, while still having the potential to be activated.

6. By Competition Committee; The League office will transmit a Personnel Notice to clubs on Sundays during training camp and preseason.

I don’t quite understand this one, but it’s supposed to provide a little more roster flexibility.

RESOLUTIONS

1. By Philadelphia, Amends the NFL’s On-Field Policy to allow clubs to have an alternate helmet in a color to match their third uniform.

Teams are currently allowed to have three uniforms, but not a different helmet to match that third uniform. This would allow for an additional helmet design.

2. By Competition Committee: Permits a club to negotiate and reach an agreement with a head coach candidate during the postseason prior to the conclusion of the employer club’s season.

This resolution would allow teams to hire their new head coach in January, even if they are still in the playoffs. It just changes the procedure for when hirings can become “official” — obviously, the coaching candidate would still continue with their playoff team until eliminated. I am in favor of this, because currently, some coaches turn down interviews because they want to focus on the playoffs only. Then, they ultimately lose out on a possible job because of how deep their run is.

3. By Competition Committee: Permits a contract or non-contract non-football employee to interview with and be hired by another club during the playing season, provided the employer club has consented.

This has to do with non-football employees, as elaborated on here:

Acknowledges the different hiring calendar for non-football employees. In certain situations, it is more opportune for the employer club to have a non-football employee leave during the playing season.

What do you think of the proposed bylaws and resolutions, Browns fans?