NFL fans are fed up with what seems to be a double-standard, or at least a huge lack in consistency, when it comes to roughing the passer calls.
Last Sunday, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was on the receiving end of an extremely beneficial – and questionable – roughing the passer penalty during a win in Miami.
Mahomes was hit as he was throwing the ball, but the Dolphins made sure to let go of the Chiefs quarterback before he hit the ground. It looked like a pretty perfect tackle.
“In what world is this roughing the passer? Does not hit to the head or neck area, and makes the best attempt to not land on him with his full body weight. Mahomes and the Chiefs draw the penalty…” Rate the Refs shared.
But a 15-yard flag was thrown.
NFL fans, along with some former players, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express some complaints.
Former NFL star Richard Sherman added: “Not sure what else the defender can do to avoid the Roughing call other than not trying to make the play.”
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III shared, too: “Dear Football Fans, this is a safe space. Do you think this is roughing the passer?”
Now, on Sunday, a similar hit occurred in the Commanders vs. Colts game, but no flag was thrown.
“Not called as a roughing the passer penalty because the passer is not named Patrick Mahomes,” one frustrated fan wrote.
You can’t call one without calling the other.
“The inconsistency of the NFL is what bothers me to the point of not watching anymore. The league has gone way too soft on QBs because they pay them so much, then protect them. Honestly this isn’t roughing either. Don’t want to get hit? Stop touching the ball,” one fan wrote.
“Agree. But it’s a legal hit so no penalty,” one fan added.
“Some consistency would be nice. Even some communication,” one fan added.
NFL fans are fed up, that’s for sure.
