Sean McVay unfazed if Rams’ backward pass rule proposal fails

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay isn’t losing sleep over whether the team’s proposed rule change regarding backward passes gains enough support to pass at the league level, emphasizing it was a situational tweak prompted by a rare—but impactful—play rather than a season-defining issue.

Rams seek clarity after unusual Seattle play
The proposal stems from a controversial sequence in Week 16 against the Seattle Seahawks, when a backward pass from quarterback Sam Darnold was deflected, bounced into the end zone, and was recovered for a conversion. Although the play was correctly officiated under current rules, the Rams submitted multiple proposals aimed at aligning the treatment of deflected backward passes with existing fumble protocols in specific high-leverage situations: inside two minutes, on fourth down, or during point-after attempts.

McVay: “It’s a very rare play”
In his remarks, McVay acknowledged the unusual nature of the play, noting, “I’ve never been a part of a play like that, but it was accurately officiated.” He explained the intent was to prevent a team from benefitting from a tipped backward pass that travels forward—comparing the spirit of the proposal to the well-known “Holy Roller” play involving the Raiders, which led to previous rule adjustments involving fumbles. McVay stressed the proposal wasn’t about making excuses for the loss but rather closing a situational loophole.

Low stakes, high consensus?
The Rams have also suggested a 40-second limit on the initiation of booth reviews to avoid extended delays like the one that preceded the review of the Seahawks’ conversion. Still, McVay made it clear the team isn’t invested in the outcome. “If it doesn’t go through, I’m not losing any sleep over it,” he stated, underscoring that the proposal was a logical response to an outlier event rather than a pressing league-wide concern.

What’s next for the proposal?
For any change to be adopted, 24 of the NFL’s 32 teams must vote in favor. While the adjustment seems reasonable—especially given its limited scope—history suggests it can be challenging to gain the necessary support for even logical rule modifications. Whether the proposal passes or not, McVay and the Rams are prepared to move forward without looking back.