Cleveland has submitted a proposal that would extend the NFL’s draft pick trading window from three years to five years ahead, according to league announcements made Wednesday.
League officials revealed that just two franchises put forward rule change proposals for owner consideration during upcoming meetings this month. Pittsburgh offered the second proposal, focusing on player contact protocols during free agency negotiations.
Troy Vincent, an NFL executive, mentioned during last month’s scouting combine that no franchise had proposed eliminating the tush push, after Green Bay’s similar attempt failed by a narrow margin last year. Teams didn’t submit any other on-field rule modifications this season, though the competition committee plans to reveal its own proposed changes next week.
Rule modifications require approval from a minimum of 24 out of 32 franchises.
Cleveland’s proposal represents the more substantial change, seeking to expand the current three-year draft pick trading limit. For comparison, the NBA permits teams to trade picks up to seven years in advance.
Recent years have seen increased trading activity under a new generation of general managers, and this modification would facilitate even more deals. Six first-round selections from this year’s draft have already changed hands, including Denver’s recent trade to Miami for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
Cleveland maintains that extending the trading window would stimulate market activity and provide teams with enhanced roster management options.
This season, the league tested allowing franchises up to five direct phone or video communications with players from other teams during the two-day negotiating window before free agency officially begins. Previously, teams could only contact player representatives during this period.
Pittsburgh wants this trial rule made permanent and also seeks permission for teams to arrange travel plans with players who have agreed to contract terms during negotiations, even before the league year officially starts.
