NFL head coaches will no longer be the only ones permitted to throw the red flag when a replay review is being requested.
The league revised the wording of Rule 15 Section 1 for the 2026 season, ending a practice that has been in effect since the existing review system was implemented in 1999.
The newly revised rule allows the head coach or a designated assistant to challenge an officiating decision by throwing a red flag prior to the snap of the next play or the kicking of the ball.
A head coach desiring to permit another coach to initiate the challenge must notify the officiating crew before the game.
The modification does not change who makes the decision of whether to challenge. Generally, coaches check with people in the coaches’ booth before deciding to challenge a call, as the head coach still maintains control over the process, though an assistant may throw the flag.
Each NFL team will have two replay challenges per game, and two successful challenges will award them an additional challenge.
Replay reviews can occur for any situation involving possession, whether the football or the player is down or not, inbounds calls, first downs, and man-over-board.
All scoring plays, turnovers, failed fourth downs, any review after a kickoff (which includes possession), and player ejections are automatically reviewed without challenge.
