The NFL had already officially approved a new helmet rule for the 2018 season, but it quietly made a significant change to the wording of a related rule regarding the applicable penalty. According to Deadspin, the change was supposed to provide clarity, though a lot of confusion remains about how the rule will be enforced. The rule book states: “It is a foul if a player lowers his head to initiate and make contact with his helmet against an opponent.