The Detroit Lions’ attempt to eliminate the automatic first down for defensive holding did not receive enough support from NFL teams at the league’s annual meetings in Palm Beach. The proposal, which aimed to alter how defensive holding and illegal contact penalties are enforced, required approval from at least 24 of the league’s 32 teams to pass. However, it failed to reach that threshold, keeping the current rule in place.
The Lions had pushed for the change in the name of “competitive equity,” citing concerns about the impact of these penalties on games. Under the current rule, a five-yard defensive holding penalty results in an automatic first down for the offense, regardless of the distance needed to move the chains. Detroit’s proposal sought to remove the automatic first down component, making the infraction a standard five-yard penalty without the added benefit of a fresh set of downs.
Detroit has been one of the most frequently penalized teams for defensive holding and illegal contact in recent seasons, which likely played a role in their motivation to propose the rule change. The team has experienced several instances where these calls extended opponents’ drives in critical situations, often leading to scoring opportunities that might not have otherwise occurred.
Despite their efforts, the Lions were unable to rally enough support from other teams to pass the proposal. The exact vote tally has not yet been reported, but the lack of approval suggests that a majority of teams still see value in the current rule. Many coaches and executives believe that the automatic first down serves as a necessary deterrent to excessive defensive contact, particularly in an era where the league continues to emphasize offensive production and player safety.
While the Lions may not have succeeded this time, their proposal has at least sparked a conversation about whether changes to defensive penalties should be considered in the future. For now, though, the rule remains intact, meaning defensive holding will continue to be a five-yard penalty with an automatic first down—something Detroit’s coaching staff and defenders will have to continue navigating in the seasons ahead.
NFL Says No to Lions’ Plan to Revise Defensive Holding Penalty
