Browns propose expanding draft pick trades to 5-year window

The NFL announced Wednesday that two teams submitted proposed resolutions ahead of the annual league meeting, scheduled for March 29 to April 1.

The Cleveland Browns proposed allowing teams to trade draft selections up to five seasons in the future, expanding the current limit from three years.

The Browns say that extending the trade window on draft picks will provide greater roster-building flexibility, per a copy of the proposal obtained by the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Cleveland also believes the rule change will encourage a more active trade market and promote creative trade structures that reflect the value of both the draft picks and players.

Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers are advocating for the permanent adoption of a rule implemented during the 2025 season that allows teams to conduct one video or phone call with up to five prospective unrestricted free agents during the two-day negotiation period before free agency. The proposal would also permit clubs to arrange travel for such players once terms are agreed upon.

Last year, the league considered proposals to change playoff seeding so that the teams with the best records would be ranked higher, regardless of division. The Philadelphia Eagles also proposed adopting the league's playoff overtime rules during the regular season.

Unlike last year, no proposal was made to ban the tush push - a play the Green Bay Packers had sought to prohibit by amending the rules to prevent an offensive player from pushing or throwing his body against a teammate immediately at the snap to gain yardage.