The NFL’s Annual Meeting this week in Phoenix, Arizona — also known as the Spring Owners Meetings — will be held at the Arizona Biltmore from Sunday, March 29 through Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
2026 Agenda Topics
• Playing Rules: Five proposals from the Competition Committee (see graphics).
• Technology: The NFL continues to lean into its quest to use technology, including artificial intelligence, to improve the game. Those efforts include how it is officiated and presented, as well as how teams can use technology to help track and prevent injuries and to improve equipment and playing surfaces. Last season, the league began using technology to virtually measure for first downs rather than relying on chain gangs. Owners are expected to hear additional proposals aimed at modernizing the game and improving the on-field product and fan experience.
• Draft Pick Trading: A proposal to allow trading picks up to five years in advance (currently three).
• Free Agent Negotiations: Proposal to make permanent the allowance of one video/phone call with up to five players during the legal tampering window.
• International/Olympics: The current CBA allows 10 international games per season, and the owners would like to expand the slate to 16 in the near future. Discussion on allowing NFL players to participate in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics for flag football.
• Referee Labor Deal: Addressing the expiration of the referee union contract to avoid potential officiating issues — such as hiring replacement referees, a concept that failed spectacularly in 2012... just ask the Packers. The biggest proposal released by the NFL competition committee is a contingency if the league chooses to use replacement officials in case of a work stoppage. The current collective bargaining agreement with the NFL and the NFL Referees Association expires on May 31.
• Replay Help: The proposal would allow the replay center in New York to advise the on-field officials on any missed roughing the passer or intentional grounding penalty, as well as any act that would have led to an ejection had a penalty been called.
• PUP List: NFL teams will consider changes to the Physically Unable to Prepare List. Under current rules, players placed on the list before the start of the regular season must miss four weeks of practice before they can be designated to return to action. The proposed change would cut that time in half. The Competition Committee has proposed allowing players to resume practicing with teams after the second game of the season.
• Kickoffs: The new kickoff alignment, introduced in 2024, features a strange glitch when it comes to penalties enforced on the kickoff. The NFL is now attempting to erase that glitch. For 15-yard penalties that apply to the kickoff, the spot of the kickoff changes. Nothing else does. The landing zone and the restraining lines remain where they are if the kick happens at the kicking team’s 35.
• Onside Kicks: The NFL is considering allowing teams to onside kick any time they want, regardless of the score. When the league implemented the new kickoff rules that require teams to declare in advance whether they would onside kick or not, teams could only do so when trailing and only in the fourth quarter. Last year, the league eliminated the provision that onside kicks had to be in the fourth quarter. Now the Competition Committee is proposing allowing onside kicks at any time, whether the kicking team is ahead, behind or tied.
• More Replay Help: The competition committee submitted a proposal that will allow NFL personnel to consult with on-field officials when mulling disqualifications for flagrant football acts and non-football acts not being called on the field.
• 2028 NFL Draft: Minnesota will make a bid to host the 2028 draft in Minneapolis. The next two drafts are being hosted in Pittsburgh (2026) and Washington, D.C. (2027). But they have competition — Buffalo is also seeking the 2028 draft.
• Flags Football: Further discussions and planning for the launch of flag football as an Olympic sport, as well as logistical and business matters related to the creation of a professional men’s and women’s flag football league.
• Coaches Catch-Up: This week marks the first time that some teams’ head coaches have addressed the media since the initial rush of free agency transactions. On Monday, the NFC coaches’ breakfast will take place, and coaches will hold roundtable discussions with local and national reporters.
• Raiders’ Future: The Las Vegas Raiders’ succession plan will be discussed, which would give minority owner Egon Durban the option to purchase a majority stake in the team whenever current majority owner Mark Davis decides to sell.
• Troublesome Owner: The owners will also consider whether to allow New York Giants co-owner Steve Tish, who is embroiled in controversy related to the Epstein files, to transfer his 23.1 percent stake in the team to a trust for his children.
• Future Big Game: NFL owners are expected to award Super Bowl LXIII (for the 2029 season) to Las Vegas, bringing the championship game back to Allegiant Stadium for the second time in five years.
• For Sale: The process of selling the Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks continues and experts suggest the team could sell for $7 billion to over $8 billion, potentially surpassing the record $6.05 billion paid for the Washington Commanders in 2023
Event Context
The Annual League Meeting is where team owners, coaches, and general managers meet to set the league's direction before the NFL Draft. While the above are major agenda items, the meeting also serves as a critical networking event for front-office personnel to discuss trades and team personnel.
