NFL to Propose Rule Change on Intentional Grounding Calls After High Rate in 2023

The NFL is prepared to propose a rule change on intentional grounding ahead of the 2024 season.

The league intends to propose a rule change on intentional grounding penalties after calls were up during the 2023 season, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The proposal would be "aimed at reducing fouls and protecting QBs," Pelissero added.

Intentional grounding was called 59 times last season, per Pelissero.

According to the NFL rulebook, intentional grounding is called when "a passer, facing an imminent loss of yardage because of pressure from the defense, throws a forward pass without a realistic chance of completion. A realistic chance of completion is defined as a pass that is thrown in the direction of and lands in the vicinity of an originally eligible receiver."

It's unclear exactly how the rule would change, but it's not necessarily surprising the league wants to change it as its one of the most confusing rules in football.

Sometimes officials call intentional grounding, other times they don't—Even when it maybe should have been called.

During Super Bowl 58 between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, fans were irate when officials didn't call Patrick Mahomes for intentional grounding on a fourth-quarter drive that resulted in the game being tied.

With just over nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Mahomes, still in the pocket, threw the football over the NFL shield at midfield with no receivers in the area. It was textbook for intentional grounding, yet it wasn't called.

If the league changes the rule, expect intentional grounding calls to drop next year.