Neither Patrick Mahomes nor Josh Allen: NFL referees’ favorite quarterbacks revealed

The NFL recently released a chart showing the number of fouls (roughing the passer calls and unnecessary roughness penalties) drawn by quarterbacks per 100 hits during the 2024 season, in an effort to see whether any received preferential treatment from referees.

Patrick Mahomes' surprising ranking

To the surprise of many, the Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes wasn’t the most protected quarterback by the officials, and didn’t even rank in the top seven.

Throughout the postseason, during which the Chiefs failed to clinch a Super Bowl three-peat, there were claims Andy Reid’s team benefited from questionable officiating. The data suggests otherwise (although it should be stressed the numbers don’t take into account whether the calls were correct or not).

As highlighted by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the league’s chart revealed the average number of roughing the passer calls and unnecessary roughness penalties per 100 hits in the 2024 season. The plays evaluated included pass attempts, sacks, scrambles, and designed runs.

Which NFL quarterback drew the most fouls?

The most fouled passer was Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, with 7.32 flags per 100 hits. In contrast, Mahomes only received 3.53 flags per 100 hits last season, leaving him in eighth place.

Among the playoff teams, Josh Allen saw the most flags, with 6.73, nearly double the number Mahomes received. The Buffalo Bills QB was second overall, with Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers completing the podium.

All in all, the data showed no apparent link between a quarterback’s status and the treatment by officials.

No penalties for these four quarterbacks

Interestingly, four quarterbacks didn’t receive any roughing the passer or unnecessary roughness penalties: Derek Carr of the New Orleans Saints, C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans, Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos, and Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles, the eventual Super Bowl champions.

Original article written by Gustavo García, translated with the assistance of AI and edited by Roddy Cons.

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