After teams score a touchdown, the procedure will look a little different next season. The NFL owners approved the competition committee’s rule change that will place the ball at the 15-yard-line for a PAT.
BREAKING NEWS: NFL changes PAT rule; teams must attempt try from 15-yard line; 2-point try will stay at 2-yard line and defense can return.
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 19, 2015
Extra points will now be a 33-yard field goal, which is much harder than the original 19-yard field goal.
Good news for the Bears, current place-kicker Robbie Gould is a 89 percent kicker between the 30-39 yard line. The 11-year veteran has never missed a field goal under 30 yards and this rule change will challenge the 33-year-old kicker.
Gould didn’t comment on the rule change, but Minnesota Vikings’ kicker Blair Walsh posted on Twitter:
33 yards it is. #ExtraEXTRAPoint
— Blair Walsh (@BlairWalsh3) May 19, 2015
Another rule change helps the defense.
Defense can return a 2-point conversion in the case of a fumble or interception on the attempt.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) May 19, 2015
The two-point conversion will remain at the two-yard line, but now, if the defense intercepts or recovers a fumble, they can advance the ball for a touchdown.
The PAT rule changes were one of three rules proposed on Tuesday during the owners meeting.