Browns, Steelers propose rule changes. How could they change the league?

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns are usually bitter AFC North rivals. This year, they have something unique in common: Both teams have proposed a change to the NFL rulebook. The NFL sent out a memo on March 18 announcing the rule changes proposed by each team.

Both changes would affect the outlook of the offseason in different ways, and one of them could increase activity ahead of the annual NFL trade deadline. No team proposed a rule change attempting to ban the Philadelphia Eagles ' "Tush Push" quarterback sneak play after a contentious debate and vote last offseason. NFL competition committee co-chair Rich McKay said in February that he had not heard about another attempt to ban the play and that another "Tush Push" vote was unlikely this year.

Here's a closer look at the Steelers' and Browns' rule change proposals for the 2026 season (and beyond): NFL NEWS, TAKES, FANTASY ADVICE: USA TODAY Sports has you covered with our NFL vodcast Steelers propose NFL free agency rule change Pittsburgh's suggestion is to make a small but notable tweak to the rules surrounding the NFL's negotiation period – also known as the "legal tampering" window – that takes place before the official start of free agency. The Steelers' proposed rule change would permit NFL teams to directly contact up to five prospective unrestricted free agents during the league's legal tampering window. Teams attempting to enter negotiations with a pending free agent during that two-day period would be allowed to make one video or phone call per player, during which they could also make travel arrangements.

As part of enforcing the rule, each team making a call would have to report all details of the correspondence to the NFL Player Personnel Department. During the legal tampering window under current NFL rules, teams are not allowed to make direct contact with a player who is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year. All negotiations before free agency can occur only between the front office and the player's representation (read: agent).