Rooney Rule will remain in place, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says despite Florida AG objections

Commissioner Roger Goodell said the NFL does not plan to end the Rooney Rule and believes the policy is consistent with evolving law; Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier recently wrote that the rule violates state law.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said at the close of the league meetings that the NFL has no plans to end the Rooney Rule, even after a recent letter from Florida's attorney general challenged the policy. The Rooney Rule is a long-standing NFL hiring guideline intended to increase diversity among candidates for key coaching and front-office posts. Goodell said the league has updated the rule over time, supports its diversity goals and believes it is consistent with changing laws. He also noted the league will engage with the Florida attorney general and others as it has in the past. Key points: - Roger Goodell said the NFL will continue the Rooney Rule and does not plan to scrap it. - Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier wrote to the league saying the rule amounts to race and sex discrimination, according to the article. - The Rooney Rule requires teams to interview at least two minority candidates for head coach, general manager and coordinator roles, and at least one minority candidate for quarterbacks coach positions. - Goodell noted similar diversity guidelines exist in other industries and reiterated the league's support for diversity as a value. - The NFL Accelerator Program is returning in May after a 2025 hiatus and was expanded this year to include candidates of all backgrounds, the article says. - The league approved a one-year replay-center rule to address clear errors if on-field officials are unavailable, and the NFL is preparing to hire and train replacement officials amid ongoing referee contract talks. Summary: Goodell framed the Rooney Rule as an established policy the league plans to keep while acknowledging legal changes and offering to discuss concerns with state officials. The article reports ongoing labor negotiations with the referees' union and notes the league is preparing replacement officials and has approved temporary replay-center measures; other items discussed at the meetings include the Accelerator Program's return. Undetermined at this time.