Lunchbreak: Approved NFL Rule Changes Include ‘Emergency’ 3rd QB & TNF Flex Scheduling (2024)

EAGAN, Minn. – NFL Owners are approving rule changes for the 2023 season.

The Spring League Meeting is currently taking place at the Viking Lakes Omni Hotel near Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center, and representatives of each team have been voting on various rule changes.

Among the approved proposals are the ability to flex Thursday Night Football games and the "emergency" third quarterback position.

ESPN's Kevin Seifert detailed the latter, which resurfaced after the 49ers "ran out of quarterbacks" during their loss to the Eagles in last season's NFC Championship Game. Seifert wrote:

The rule applies only to quarterbacks who are on a team's 53-man roster. Practice squad players are not eligible to be emergency quarterbacks, not even if they are elevated for that week's game. But it allows a team to avoid counting the emergency quarterback as one of its active players on game day, a modest incentive for teams that otherwise would have chosen to go into a game with only two available quarterbacks.

The emergency quarterback would be eligible for in-game activation if the rest of a team's quarterbacks are unable to participate due to injury or ejection, but not as a result of a benching. If one of the other quarterbacks is cleared to return to the game, the emergency quarterback must be removed at that time and can return only if there is once again no other option.

Seifert noted that this rule actually was used by the NFL from 1991-2010. He explained, "During 2011 collective bargaining with the NFL Players Association, the sides decided to increase the overall limit of game-day active players rather than limit it to one position."

View home and away photos of the Vikings 2023 regular season schedule.

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Week 1 | Vikings vs. Buccaneers
Sept. 10 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium

Kam Nedd/Minnesota Vikings

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Week 1 | Vikings vs. Buccaneers
Sept. 10 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium

Joe Lemke/Minnesota Vikings

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Week 2 | Vikings at Eagles (Thursday)
Sept. 14 - 7:15 p.m. CT
Lincoln Financial Field

Andy Kenutis/Minnesota Vikings

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Week 2 | Vikings at Eagles (Thursday)
Sept. 14 - 7:15 p.m. CT
Lincoln Financial Field

Ben Liebenberg/AP

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Week 3 | Vikings vs. Chargers
Sept. 24 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium

Harrison Barden/Minnesota Vikings

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Week 3 | Vikings vs. Chargers
Sept. 24 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium

Ben Krause/Minnesota Vikings Football, LLC

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Week 4 | Vikings at Panthers
Oct. 1 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Bank of America Stadium

Minnesota Vikings

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Week 4 | Vikings at Panthers
Oct. 1 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Bank of America Stadium

Jacob Kupferman/AP Photos

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Week 5 | Vikings vs. Chiefs
Oct. 8 - 3:25 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium

Harrison Barden/Minnesota Vikings

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Week 5 | Vikings vs. Chiefs
Oct. 8 - 3:25 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium

Ben Krause/Minnesota Vikings

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Week 6 | Vikings at Bears
Oct. 15 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Soldier Field

Travis Ellison/Minnesota Vikings

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Week 6 | Vikings at Bears
Oct. 15 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Soldier Field

David Banks/AP Photos

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Week 7 | Vikings vs. 49ers (Monday)
Oct. 23 - 7:15 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium

Andy Kenutis/Minnesota Vikings

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Week 7 | Vikings vs. 49ers (Monday)
Oct. 23 - 7:15 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium

Ben Krause/Minnesota Vikings

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Week 8 | Vikings at Packers
Oct. 29 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Lambeau Field

Andy Kenutis/Minnesota Vikings

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Week 8 | Vikings at Packers
Oct. 29 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Lambeau Field

Matt Ludtke/AP Photos

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Week 9 | Vikings at Falcons
Nov. 5 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Travis Ellison/Minnesota Vikings

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Week 9 | Vikings at Falcons
Nov. 5 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Danny Karnik/AP Photos

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Week 10 | Vikings vs. Saints
Nov. 12 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium

Minnesota Vikings

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Week 10 | Vikings vs. Saints
Nov. 12 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium

Harrison Barden/Minnesota Vikings

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Week 11 | Vikings at Broncos
Nov. 19 - 7:20 p.m. CT
Empower Field at Mile High

Minnesota Vikings

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Week 11 | Vikings at Broncos
Nov. 19 - 7:20 p.m. CT
Empower Field at Mile High

Jack Dempsey/AP

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Week 12 | Vikings vs. Bears (Monday)
Nov. 27 - 7:15 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium

Andy Kenutis/Minnesota Vikings

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Week 12 | Vikings vs. Bears (Monday)
Nov. 27 - 7:15 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium

Joe Lemke/Minnesota Vikings

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Week 13 | BYE

Minnesota Vikings

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Week 14 | Vikings at Raiders
Dec. 10 - 3:05 p.m. CT
Allegiant Stadium

Andy Kenutis/Minnesota Vikings

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Week 14 | Vikings at Raiders
Dec. 10 - 3:05 p.m. CT
Allegiant Stadium

David Becker/AP

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Week 15 | Vikings at Bengals
Date & time TBD
Paycor Stadium

Minnesota Vikings

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Week 15 | Vikings at Bengals
Date & time TBD
Paycor Stadium

Joshua A. Bickel/AP

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Week 16 | Vikings vs. Lions
Dec. 24 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium

Alli Rusco/Minnesota Vikings

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Week 16 | Vikings vs. Lions
Dec. 24 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium

Joe Lemke/Minnesota Vikings

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Week 17 | Vikings vs. Packers
Dec. 31 - 7:20 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium

Andy Kenutis/Minnesota Vikings

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Week 17 | Vikings vs. Packers
Dec. 31 - 7:20 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium

Grant Ridpath/Minnesota Vikings

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Week 18 | Vikings at Detroit
Date & time TBD
Ford Field

Minnesota Vikings

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Week 18 | Vikings at Detroit
Date & time TBD
Ford Field

Carlos Osorio/AP

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NFL.com's Nick Shook dived into the modified proposal around the flexing of Thursday Night Football which originally was reported by NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.

Shook noted the resolution "comes with strict requirements":

Thursday games can only be flexed between Weeks 13 and 17, with a four-week notice required. Only two Thursday night games can be flexed per year, and the resolution notes that the flexible scheduling for TNF is on "a trial basis."

[…]

Clubs may be required to switch Sunday afternoon regular-season games to approximately 8:15 p.m. (ET) on Thursday (and vice-versa), upon at least 28 days' notice from the league office. The league's late-season, fluid scheduling mechanic – in which games are listed with a time and date of "to be determined" – can be used to fill Thursday games as part of the flexing possibilities. In this scenario, for example, the Pittsburgh Steelers Week 15 game at the Indianapolis Colts could be a candidate for flexing into Thursday night.

The resolution comes even after owners and the NFLPA raised issues with the proposal, voicing concerns regarding travel logistics and travel impact on fans, Pelissero reported.

Shook wrote that "despite concerns, the premium placed on prime-time NFL games won out."

View photos of the Vikings 2023 coaching staff.

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Kevin O'Connell - Head Coach

Minnesota Vikings

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Brian Flores - Defensive Coordinator

Andy Kenutis/Minnesota Vikings

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Wes Phillips - Offensive Coordinator

Andy Kenutis/Minnesota Vikings

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Matt Daniels - Special Teams Coordinator

Alli Rusco/Minnesota Vikings

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Mike Pettine - Assistant Head Coach

Andy Kenutis/Minnesota Vikings

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Imarjaye Albury - Defensive Assistant

Andy Kenutis/Minnesota Vikings

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Brian Angelichio - Tight Ends/Passing Game Coordinator

Andy Kenutis/Minnesota Vikings

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Lance Bennett – Defensive Quality Control

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Thad Bogardus - Assistant Inside Linebackers

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Ryan Cordell - Pass Game Specialist/Game Management Coordinator

Alli Rusco/Minnesota Vikings

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Dalmin Gibson - Assistant Special Teams

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Pat Hill - Assistant Defensive Line

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Michael Hutchings - Assistant Defensive Backs

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Daronte Jones - Defensive Backs

Andy Kenutis/Minnesota Vikings

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Chris Kuper - Offensive Line

Alli Rusco/Minnesota Vikings

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Keenan McCardell - Wide Receivers

Kayla Plummer/Minnesota Vikings

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Curtis Modkins - Running Backs/Running Game Coordinator

Alli Rusco/Minnesota Vikings

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Derron Montgomery - Quality Control - Offense

Janaye Johnson/Minnesota Vikings

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Chris O'Hara - Quarterbacks

Minnesota Vikings

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Justin Rascati - Assistant Offensive Line

Alli Rusco/Minnesota Vikings

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Chris Rumph - Defensive Line

Andy Kenutis/Minnesota Vikings

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Mike Siravo - Inside Linebackers

Courtesy of Carolina Panthers

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Mike Smith - Outside Linebackers/Pass Rush Specialist

Andy Kenutis/Minnesota Vikings

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Tony Sorrentino - Assistant Wide Receivers

Alli Rusco/Minnesota Vikings

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Grant Udinski - Assistant Quarterbacks/Chief of Special Projects

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Change for fair catches on the way, too

On Tuesday morning, NFL Owners also voted to approve a rule for 2023 that will allow teams to signal for a fair catch anywhere between their 25-yard line and goal line on a kickoff and be awarded the equivalent of a touchback (ball spotted at 25-yard line).

NFL Media's Steve Wyche reported the change via Twitter:

The NFL just passed a rule (for one season) that if a fair catch is made on a kickoff anywhere between the 25-yard line and the goal line, the ensuing drive will start at the 25. The reason for change? Player safety. pic.twitter.com/JTIgkc7ptO
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) May 23, 2023

FAQs

Lunchbreak: Approved NFL Rule Changes Include ‘Emergency’ 3rd QB & TNF Flex Scheduling? ›

At the annual league meeting in Orlando on Tuesday, owners approved a change that makes it easier for teams to have a third quarterback available for games for emergencies. Teams will now be able to elevate a quarterback from the practice squad and have him be eligible to be the emergency quarterback.

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What is the new 3rd QB rule in the NFL? ›

It will allow each team to field an emergency quarterback on game days that will go against its 46-man active roster. This was a significant move by the league's owners, a clear reaction to what played out in the 2022 NFC Championship game just last season.

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Does the emergency QB count against the 53 man roster? ›

The Emergency Third Quarterback must be on the club's 53-player roster; the player cannot be an elevated Practice Squad player. The club's starting quarterback (QB1) and its backup quarterback (QB2) must also be on the club's 53-player roster.

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Do NFL teams have to keep three QBs? ›

The third quarterback rule was a rule in the National Football League from 1991 to 2010 that governed the use of a third quarterback in addition to the starter and the backup. The rule was abolished for the 2011 season, when the NFL increased the roster size to allow 46 players to dress for a game.

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What are the NFL rules changing in 2024? ›

Owners of the NFL voted to pass two game changing rules that will be in effect starting in the 2024 season. The first rule change was to adopt a low-impact kickoff– previously used in the XFL. In addition, hip-drop tackles were banned and would result in a penalty if used.

How does the 3rd QB rule work? ›

If a club has two quarterbacks injured and/or disqualified in a game, the emergency quarterback can enter play. If either of the injured quarterbacks is cleared by the medical staff to return to play, the emergency third quarterback must be removed from the game.

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What is the new emergency quarterback rule? ›

This rule allows a team to play a quarterback that was listed as inactive on gameday under certain circ*mstances. He can come in if the first two quarterbacks are unavailable to play. This can only happen if all three quarterbacks are on the team's 53-man roster.

How much does a 3rd string QB make in the NFL? ›

Expect experienced 3rd stringers to earn $1-2 million annually. Rookies and undrafted free agents: These players typically land on the lower end of the salary spectrum. Rookie minimum salaries for quarterbacks in 2024 will be around $705,000, while undrafted free agents might sign for even less.

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Who is the 49ers 3rd string quarterback? ›

49ers' Third-String Quarterback

Brandon Allen is the current third-string quarterback. A former sixth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016, Allen is on his fifth NFL team. He signed with the 49ers in May after spending the previous three seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.

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How many guys can be on an NFL roster? ›

Furthermore, alongside the 53-man roster, NFL teams are permitted to maintain a practice squad consisting of up to 16 players. Unlike previous years, the 2023 NFL preseason features just one deadline for roster cuts.

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Can you dress 3 QBs? ›

The NFL has approved a rule allowing a team to designate a roster spot on an emergency 3rd QB. The rule change comes after what happened to the 49ers in the playoffs last year when they were decimated by injuries at the quarterback position and had no other options on their active roster.

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Why don t NFL teams use two quarterbacks? ›

You always want one established quarterback because the negatives of a two quarterback system if the team doesn't buy into it are twofold: it causes dissension among the team and staff and in the locker room, and the first team quarterback needs to get 75 percent of the work in practice, the second team quarterback ...

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What happens if 3 players sack the QB? ›

A player will receive credit for half of a sack when multiple players contribute to the sacking of a quarterback, even if more than two players contributed. In the National Football League (NFL), it is possible to record a sack for zero yards.

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What is the sock rule in the NFL? ›

“Skin exposure of the lower leg and ankle area due to improper wear of game socks and/or leg coverings is prohibited at all times throughout the game,” the rulebook states. The only exception is for kickers who prefer to go barefoot, though there hasn't been one of those in years.

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Why did the NFL change the kickoff rule? ›

The NFL spent more than a decade trying to address the high injury rates on kickoffs by adopting rules that were designed to reduce returns via touchbacks and fair catches. By 2023, only 21% of kickoffs were returned. McKay projected that between 50% and 60% of kickoffs will be returned in 2024.

Who has the easiest NFL schedule 2024? ›

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints ended up in a tie for easiest strength of schedule at .453 (the Falcons and Saints are the only two teams facing a strength of schedule under .465).

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What is the 3rd step rule in the NFL? ›

The NFL's simplified catch rules, which also apply to interceptions, require the player to do three things: Control the ball, get two feet or another body part down, and make a "football move," like a third step/reach reach for the line to gain; or the ability to perform such a move.

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Did NFL change QB sneak rule? ›

The NFL won't be modifying the quarterback sneak in 2023, as owners decided not to put a vote on changing the rule.

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