Browns & Steelers Propose NFL Rule Changes

0:00On March 19th, the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers, long-time AFC North foes, have teamed up on something unexpected this off-season. Both clubs proposed rule changes to the NFL, announced in a lead memo on March 18th. The Browns want to let teams trade draft picks up to five years ahead, instead of the current three-year limit. Meanwhile, the Steelers aim to tweak free agency rules. The Browns say this would give teams more flexibility to build rosters by trading far-off picks for immediate help. It could lead to smarter deals that match player values in salary cap timing, plus boost trading overall. Trade deadlines have gotten busier lately, with eight deals on deadline day last year, and 10 back in 2022. Pittsburgh's idea builds on a test run from this year's legal tampering window. The two days before free agency starts. Right now, teams can only top to agents, not players directly. The Steelers propose letting each team make one phone or video call to up to five free

1:00agents, then report it to the league. They'd make that permanent starting in 2026. These proposals now go through the NFL Competition Committee, which checks things like game improvement and player safety. Then all 32 owners vote, needing 75% approval, or 24 yes votes. The big league meeting wraps this up for March 29th to April 1st in Phoenix, so we could hear results soon. Judges like these might shake up how teams plan ahead.