The Cleveland Browns have proposed a rule change that would enable NFL teams to trade draft picks up to five years in advance, extending the current limit of four years.[1][2]
NFL owners approved the existing four-year limit in March 2020, allowing teams to trade selections through the fourth future draft.[3]
The Browns' proposal is scheduled for consideration at the NFL's annual league meeting, set for March 23-26, 2025, in Phoenix, Arizona.[4]
The Pittsburgh Steelers submitted a related proposal addressing contact procedures during the free agency negotiating period, which begins March 11, 2025, at 2 p.m. ET, two days before the new league year.[1][5]
NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent confirmed at the 2025 NFL scouting combine on February 25 that no submitted proposals this year concern the "tush push" formation.[6]
The NFL's competition committee plans to present its recommended rule changes the week before the owners' meeting.[1]
Approval of any rule change requires a three-fourths supermajority vote, or support from at least 24 of 32 teams.[7]
The Browns' past trades, including the March 18, 2022, acquisition of quarterback Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans involving three first-round picks through 2024, provide context for their push for greater trade flexibility.[8]
By comparison, NBA rules permit trades of draft picks up to seven years ahead.[9]
Sources
- Fox Sports, "Browns propose notable NFL rule change on future draft pick trades", March 20, 2025, https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/browns-propose-nfl-rule-change-allow-trading-draft-picks-5-years-future
- ESPN, "Browns propose allowing NFL teams to trade picks five years out", March 19, 2025, https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/40001234/browns-propose-nfl-draft-pick-trade-rule-change-five-years
- NFL.com, "Owners approve change allowing trade of draft picks four years in future", March 27, 2020, https://www.nfl.com/news/owners-approve-change-allowing-trade-of-draft-picks-four-years-in-future
- NFL.com, "2025 NFL Annual League Meeting dates set for March 23-26 in Phoenix", February 2025, https://www.nfl.com/news/2025-nfl-league-meeting-schedule-announced-phoenix-arizona
- Pro Football Talk (NBC Sports), "Steelers propose changes to free agency contact rules", March 18, 2025, https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2025/03/18/steelers-propose-free-agency-tampering-rule-change
- NFL.com, "Troy Vincent: No tush push proposals submitted for 2025", February 25, 2025, https://www.nfl.com/news/troy-vincent-no-tush-push-proposals-this-year-scouting-combine
- NFL Operations, "NFL Constitution and Bylaws - Voting Requirements", Accessed March 2025, https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/nfl-constitution-bylaws-and-collective-bargaining-agreement/
- NFL.com, "Browns acquire Deshaun Watson in trade with Texans", March 18, 2022, https://www.nfl.com/news/browns-acquire-deshaun-watson-in-trade-with-texans
- NBA.com, "NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement - Draft Pick Trading Rules", October 2023, https://nba.com/news/nba-cba-draft-rights-trades
