Tom Brady weighs in on Patrick Mahomes controversy
The Chiefs quarterback benefitted from a number of soft penalty calls against the Texans, sparking a debate on officiating.
One of the big controversies of this year’s NFL playoffs, so far, has been the fouls called for Patrick Mahomes last weekend.
The Chiefs benefitted from a pair of controversial penalty flags against the Texans, one for roughing the passer and another for unnecessary roughness. However Mahomes was out of the pocket in both of those instances, sparking a conversation about the scope of quarterback protection when the play-caller takes flight.
Will Anderson was called for roughing the passer on Patrick Mahomes on this play.#HOUvsKC | ESPN, ABC, ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/bTn7Z5XoLZ
— ESPN (@espn) January 18, 2025
One of the voices to join the conversation was Tom Brady, who argued that running quarterbacks should not get the same roughing calls that a thrower might get.
“When quarterbacks become running backs and they’re out of the pocket, they should lose their protection,” Brady said. “We’re trying to protect the quarterbacks, but coaches are calling more quarterback runs than ever in the history of the game. So, who is protecting the quarterback? We’re trying to say the referees should do it?”
Tom Brady calls on QBs to protect themselves
Playing quarterback is always a dangerous proposition. Not only does the QB constantly have a target on their back, but they run the risk of getting hit on the blindside with no opportunity to protect themselves.
However when a QB goes on the run they are no longer in such a vulnerable position. If the defensive unit are prevented from putting a heavy hit on a running QB, it hands the offensive team a significant advantage. For Brady, the emphasis is on the quarterback in this situation.
“The reality for me is offensive players need to protect themselves,” Brady said. “If they’re running full speed and the defender’s coming up — the only way to turn the ball over is to create force. You’re not going to blow on the football and knock its way out of a running back’s hands or a quarterback’s hands.
“You’ve gotta go there with force and knock it out. You’re trying to create turnovers. You’re trying to disrupt the passer. You’re trying to dislodge the ball. The only way to do that is with force. There needs to be an aggressiveness to doing that.”
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