Each year, the NFL may adopt certain rules to enhance the nature of the game. Some are good, while others may have good intentions only.
What happened to the San Francisco 49ers during the 2023 NFC Championship game ultimately convinced the NFL that something different was needed.
In what's become known as the "Brock Purdy rule," teams can now carry a third quarterback on the active roster without inhibiting an extra roster spot, although that quarterback can't physically play in the game unless the first two quarterbacks are injured.
That's what happened when Purdy suffered a torn UCL in the conference championship loss versus the Philadelphia Eagles, giving way to backup signal-caller Josh Johnson, who subsequently suffered a concussion, which led to an ineffective Purdy having to return.
Ironically, it wasn't the Niners who proposed the rule change. It was the Detroit Lions (sorry, all you Philly fans who think it was merely San Francisco crying about it).
At any rate, let's take a look at some of the other major NFL rule changes that'll go into effect for the upcoming 2023 season.
Many of the rules implemented during the owners meetings this offseason are on a one-year trial basis, which will afford players, coaches and officials a chance to see whether or not they'll be effective.
As is the case with this first rule change listed.
Fair-catch rule on kickoffs
On a kickoff, if a kick-return specialist initiates a fair-catch signal from anywhere in the end zone up to the 25-yard line, the ball will automatically be placed at the 25-yard line.
It's essentially a touchback and will eliminate fair catches being pinned deep within a receiving team's territory and up against its goal line.
Read more: New NFL rule changes makes Niners' drafting of Jake Moody more questionable
Players can now wear No. 0
Previously, players couldn't have a 0-number jersey. However, college football has long since allowed zero as a jersey number, and the NFL has finally adopted the same practice.
Flex scheduling for Thursday Night Football
Many of last season's Thursday Night Football games were absolute drudgery, especially considering each team, good or bad, was slated to have at least one of these short-week contests.
Now, the NFL may flex out Thursday night games as needed.
The 49ers already have two Thursday Night Football games this season, once against the New York Giants in Week 3 and again versus the Seattle Seahawks on Thanksgiving.
Teams can't play more than two Thursday night games in a season, and at least one of those has to be at home.
Launching and tripping are now personal fouls
The NFL clarified the language on launching, which now specifies that even just one foot off the ground when trying to make a hit on an opposing player could now be constituted as a launch, resulting in a 15-yard personal-foul penalty.
Additionally, tripping is bumped up from a 10-yard penalty into a 15-yard personal-foul penalty.
Read-option handoffs
For any handoff on a read-option play, the quarterback must hand the ball to a runner either parallel to him or behind him.
Anything in front of the quarterback will be classified as an illegal forward pass and penalized 5 yards.
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