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NFL Cuts First-Round Draft Clock to Eight Minutes Starting in 2026

The move aims to wrap Round 1 earlier for television audiences.

Overview

  • The change takes effect at the April 23–25, 2026 draft hosted in Pittsburgh.
  • Teams were notified and were on board with the adjustment, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
  • The league expects the shorter clock to trim roughly an hour from Round 1, which had been ending near 11:45 p.m. ET.
  • Less on-the-clock time is expected to tighten windows for trade negotiations and final decisions.
  • Under current rules, a team that lets its clock expire can be jumped by the next club, and one-time extensions mentioned by Roger Goodell have not been adopted.