Short answer: Yes, in certain circumstances coaches can challenge penalty calls in the NFL, but the specific rules depend on the game clock and league policy in effect for the season. Details and context
- General concept: The NFL allows coaches to challenge certain on-field rulings. Penalty calls can be eligible for review or overturning, but there are restrictions that limit when and what can be challenged.
- Final two minutes: Historically, challenges near the end of halves (the last two minutes) are typically handled via replay officials with higher authority, and coaches’ challenges may be limited or superseded by official reviews in that window.
- Which penalties can be challenged: Not all penalties are eligible for challenge. Usually, the challenge process focuses on on-field rulings that affect the spot of the ball or the result of the play, and some penalty classifications may be excluded from challenges. If a call is automatically reviewable by the officials (e.g., certain major rulings), the process may differ.
- Availability and consequences of challenges: Each team starts with a set number of challenges per half, and challenges can be lost if an incorrect challenge is upheld against the team. Timeouts and the status of the game clock influence whether a challenge can be made.
- Recent and evolving rules: The NFL has discussed or piloted changes to allow penalties to be challenged under certain conditions, including considerations around late-half situations and the interaction with replay officials. Such proposals have varied by season and have required league approval.
If you want, I can pull in the latest official rulebook details or recent league proposals for penalty challenges to confirm the exact rules for the current season.
