The Detroit Lions are proposing a major rule change for the upcoming NFL season.
The Lions are asking the league to eliminate the automatic first down awarded to an offense after a defensive penalty for holding or illegal contact, according to Pro Football Talk.
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Currently, those flags result in a five-yard penalty, and an automatic first down. The change would make it a simple five-yard flag, and the down would be replayed, unless the yardage resulted in a first down.
It’s one of the more annoying NFL rules that fans -- and teams -- hate to see. Your defense could be playing a third down play, it could be 3rd and 30, and a five-yard flag results in a first down.
The Lions are arguing the current rule is too punitive on defenses.
It’s unclear how much support the change has with the rest of the league. At least 24 teams have to vote in favor of the change for it to be enacted.
That proposal, along with others, will be voted on by teams during meetings in early April.
