Rams Seek Rulebook Rewrite After Costly Call
The Los Angeles Rams are stirring the pot this offseason, aiming to alter the NFL's official rulebook in response to a single, pivotal play that continues to haunt them. According to league sources, the organization is preparing to formally submit a proposal that would redefine the outcome of a specific type of two-point conversion—a move that has already ignited a firestorm of criticism from the football community.
The Play That Started It All
This brewing controversy traces back to a dramatic Week 16 clash with the Seattle Seahawks. With the game on the line, Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold attempted a two-point pass. Rams rookie Jared Verse appeared to make a game-saving play, deflecting the ball to the turf. However, in a chaotic scramble, Seattle running back Zach Charbonnet recovered the loose ball in the end zone. Officials ruled the play a successful conversion, citing that Darnold's throw was a backward pass, making it a live ball and legal recovery. This decision fueled a Seahawks comeback attempt and, many argue, ultimately helped secure Seattle the NFC's top playoff seed.
Rams head coach Sean McVay was visibly and vocally frustrated post-game, seeking answers on a ruling he found baffling. "I've never seen anything or never been a part of anything like that. And I've grown up around this game," McVay told reporters. He emphasized his desire for clarity, stating, "We do want clarity and an understanding of the things that we can do to minimize that when we rejected the 2-point conversion." Months later, it's clear the organization hasn't moved on.
The Proposed Change and Immediate Backlash
CBS Sports insider Jonathan Jones reports the Rams' proposal would explicitly make such a play—where a deflected backward pass is recovered in the end zone—an unsuccessful conversion attempt. The team may also submit a second, related proposal concerning technical details around the play.
The reaction from NFL fans was swift and merciless. Across social media platforms, the Rams were accused of pettiness and an inability to let go. "Still crying about the right call months later is insane," wrote one fan, capturing the sentiment of many. Others were even more direct, with declarations like "The Rams are shameless" and simple pleas to "Just let it go." Some drew parallels to past grievances, noting, "They doing the same thing the Saints did after the Rams NFCCG. It ain't fun when it's your turn."
A History of Offseason Rule Proposals
It's not uncommon for NFL teams to submit rule change proposals during the offseason, especially following plays they deem unfair or ambiguous. The league's competition committee reviews these suggestions, often leading to lively debates among owners before any vote. The official window for such proposals opens with the new league year, which begins on March 11. The Rams' idea will enter a pool of potential changes aimed at refining the game's complex rulebook.
However, the visceral public response highlights the fine line teams walk when seeking changes that appear self-serving. While seeking competitive fairness is a valid pursuit, proposals perceived as stemming from a single, bitter loss often face an uphill battle for acceptance and court public ridicule.
Whether the Rams' proposal gains any traction within league circles remains to be seen. But one thing is already certain: it has successfully reopened old wounds and sparked a fierce debate about sportsmanship, forward progress, and how the NFL should handle the unpredictable, chaotic plays that make the game so thrilling—and, at times, so controversial.
