NFL allows designated coach to challenge calls this season
2 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 10, 2026, 5:56 PM
Last updated Aug 10, 2026
The NFL announced it will permit head coaches to designate a staff member to initiate replay challenges for the upcoming season. This change aims to streamline the decision-making process on the sidelines. By enabling a designated individual to challenge calls, the league hopes to enhance game management and reduce delays. Coaches will need to select their designee before the season begins. This modification reflects the league's ongoing efforts to adapt its rules to improve the flow of the game.
- •Head coaches can now appoint a sideline staff member for challenges.
- •The change is set to take effect this season.
- •The NFL aims to reduce delays in decision-making.
- •Teams must select their designees before the season starts.
- •The move reflects a strategy to enhance game management.
- 8:38 PMYahoo Sports — The NFL will allow head coaches to designate an assistant to throw a challenge flag
- 8:03 PMNBCSports.com — NFL tweaks rules to allow coach’s designee to initiate replay challenges - NBC Sports
- 7:42 PMYahoo Sports — NFL tweaks rules to allow coach's designee to initiate replay challenges
- 6:47 PMESPN — NFL to allow coach's designee to challenge calls
- 6:43 PMYahoo Sports — Altered NFL rule allows head coach to select staff member to initiate challenge calls on their behalf
"NFL head coaches will now be able to designate an assistant to handle the task of throwing the red flag to challenge a call through instant replay. Since the current instant replay rule was put in place in 1999, only the head coach was allowed to throw the flag to challenge a disputed call. “The head coach or head coach’s pregame challenge designee can initiate a challenge by throwing a red flag onto the field of play before the next legal snap or kick,” the rule book says in Article 1 (a).
"The NFL will allow its 32 head coaches to designate a member of their staff to initiate replay challenges this season, Kevin Seifert of ESPN reports.
"The NFL will allow its 32 head coaches to designate a member of their staff to initiate replay challenges this season, Kevin Seifert of ESPN reports.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 10, 2026, 8:38 PMThe NFL will allow head coaches to designate an assistant to throw a challenge flag
NFL head coaches will now be able to designate an assistant to handle the task of throwing the red flag to challenge a call through instant replay. Since the current instant replay rule was put in place in 1999, only the head coach was allowed to throw the flag to challenge a disputed call. “The head coach or head coach’s pregame challenge designee can initiate a challenge by throwing a red flag onto the field of play before the next legal snap or kick,” the rule book says in Article 1 (a).
- NBCSports.comAug 10, 2026, 8:03 PMNFL tweaks rules to allow coach’s designee to initiate replay challenges - NBC Sports
The NFL will allow its 32 head coaches to designate a member of their staff to initiate replay challenges this season, Kevin Seifert of ESPN reports.
- Yahoo SportsAug 10, 2026, 7:42 PMNFL tweaks rules to allow coach's designee to initiate replay challenges
The NFL will allow its 32 head coaches to designate a member of their staff to initiate replay challenges this season, Kevin Seifert of ESPN reports.
- ESPNAug 10, 2026, 6:47 PMNFL to allow coach's designee to challenge calls
The NFL will allow head coaches to designate a member of their sideline staff to initiate replay challenges this season.
- Yahoo SportsAug 10, 2026, 6:43 PMAltered NFL rule allows head coach to select staff member to initiate challenge calls on their behalf
NFL coaches can now use a proxy on challenge calls — though whether any coaches will choose to do so is another question.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
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