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League owners approved the proposal to simplify the NFL's catch rule during the annual owners' meetings on Tuesday. The vote to pass the rule change was a unanimous decision (32-0), according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Below are the new rules of what defines a catch.
Control of the ball.
Two feet down or another body part.
A football move such as a third step, reaching/extending for the line-to-gain, or the ability to perform such an act.
While the rule eliminates the "going-to-the-ground" element of the previous version, many believe it could result in an increase of fumbles throughout the league.
"I think it makes great sense," 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Monday via 49ers.com. "I think it will be much easier to officiate."
Lynch believes the competition committee watched several controversial plays involving catches and formed the new rules based off of those.
"I think they've done a nice job cleaning that up," Lynch said. "I'm sure there are going to be things that pop up because every time you tweak something there are unintended consequences that come from it. But I do think they've cleaned it up in terms of taking the 'going to the ground' part out. That just opened up Pandora's box."
One proposed rule change which was not approved was the proposal by the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Chargers, and Arizona Cardinals that would have limited the number of 10 a.m. Pacific Time games in a season for West Coast teams to three. Last season, the 49ers had five such start times while the Seattle Seahawks had just one.
Below is a list of the rules and bylaws approved by NFL clubs on Tuesday.
If the 49ers draft a wide receiver, don't expect it to be a smaller guy
By Marc Adams
Apr 13
The San Francisco 49ers are in good shape for 2024 when it comes to the wide receiver position. What that room looks like after this coming season remains to be seen. Most believe the 49ers will give Brandon Aiyuk a new contract around the start of training camp. But there are no guarantees. As it was reported on Friday, Aiyuk unfollowed the 49ers on Instagram, much like Deebo Samuel did two years ago.
It seems to be how modern-day players negotiate. It's not necessarily anything to be concerned about, but you never truly know how these things will end. There is still potential that the 49ers could trade the star receiver in the next couple of weeks.
If Aiyuk is extended, it
Marcus Mosher of The 33rd Team revealed his latest mock draft, which goes seven rounds deep and projects every selection for every NFL team. While most predict that the San Francisco 49ers will add an offensive lineman with their first selection, No. 31 overall, Mosher has the Bay Area team going in a different direction.
The writer and analyst has the Niners selecting former UCLA pass rusher Laiatu Latu in the first round.
"It wouldn't be a shock to see Laiatu Latu fall in the draft due to his medical history, but he is too good of a value to pass up here at No. 31," Mosher wrote. "The San Francisco 49ers have been searching for the right pass
Rapoport: 49ers send clear message to teams inquiring about Brandon Aiyuk
By David Bonilla
Apr 16
Ian Rapoport didn't offer much of an update on the ongoing contract negotiations between the San Francisco 49ers and their standout wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. However, the NFL insider emphasized one thing: The team is not entertaining trade discussions at this juncture.
Reacting to Aiyuk's decision to unfollow the 49ers on Instagram, Rapoport couldn't help but chuckle at the latest development. This practice has become commonplace among players who are unhappy with their contract situations. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel similarly took this action in 2022 before requesting to be traded just before the draft.
Things have yet to escalate that far with Aiyuk, but Rapoport sees his
NFL insider states the obvious regarding 49ers' talks with Brandon Aiyuk
By David Bonilla
3 hrs
ESPN insider Adam Schefter recently shared his insights on the situation surrounding San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk during an appearance on the network's "NFL Live" show. Schefter clarified that while Aiyuk would like to remain with the 49ers, his priority is securing a contract that reflects his value, regardless of the team.
When questioned about Aiyuk's desire to stay with the team that selected him in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Schefter responded, "Well, I think his desire to get paid is greater than his desire to stay in San Francisco, wherever that is. If the 49ers want to pay him, I'm sure he'd love to stay in San Francisco. If another team would like to pay him, I'm sure he'd like to go
