The Cleveland Browns are proposing a rule change that has garnered considerable attention and commentary among experts and fans across the NFL. The team is pushing to see the league extend the window for trading future draft picks from three years out to five years.
On Wednesday, the NFL announced that only two teams submitted rule-change proposals for consideration, and both will be reviewed by owners at the league meetings later this month. The Pittsburgh Steelers were the other team to join the Browns in making a proposal to the league.
It is unknown whether the Cleveland Browns’ proposal will be accepted by the NFL. However, the change is based on the rationale that a longer horizon for available compensation would provide teams with significantly greater flexibility when constructing and managing their rosters.
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There’s been a noticeable surge in trade deals across the NFL in recent years. This is fueled by the new wave of young and ambitious general managers in the league. The proposed rule change will, therefore, make those trade deals even easier going forward if it’s ratified.
There have been a lot of reactions to the Cleveland Browns’ trade window period rule change proposal among fans. While some think it’s a good idea for the league, the majority are not welcoming the proposed change, leading them to rip the team apart on social media.
Here’s a look at some of the reactions online:
@AdamSchefter Hate that. This isn’t the NBA.
@AdamSchefter They really want arch. lol
@AdamSchefter This is terrible. Too many bad GMs could potentially set the franchise back half a decade after being fired? No.
@AdamSchefter LMFAO? The Watson trade wasn’t bad enough for them?
@AdamSchefter Browns out here trying to trade 2030 picks before they even finish regretting 2022 ones 💀
@AdamSchefter That’s the most Cleveland Browns thing I have ever seen
The other rule change proposal aside from that of the Cleveland Browns
The Pittsburgh Steelers submitted the other proposed rule change this offseason, ahead of the NFL owners’ annual meeting. If the team’s proposal is eventually approved, it would permanently codify a temporary measure introduced during the 2025 season.
During the two-day negotiation window immediately before the new league year begins, teams were allowed to conduct one video or phone call, which is limited to no more than one hour. The rule allowed each team to speak to up to five prospective unrestricted free agents.
Before this year, teams could only contact the certified agents of impending free agents or directly reach out to any free agent who had no agent representing them. Under the new proposed rule, an agent is still required to participate in the single permitted video or phone call.
The owners will vote on both the Cleveland Browns’ and Pittsburgh Steelers’ proposals later this month. It’s worth noting that there’s no proposal to ban the controversial “Tush Push” play this year after the Green Bay Packers saw their proposal to make the play illegal fail last year.
