Will the NFL change the rules and penalties for roughing the passer for next season?

This weekend in the NFL gave us two questionable calls that have sparked debate among journalists, fans, players and coaches alike. Flags flew on two different sacks in two different games and seemingly no one was in agreement of the referees decision to penalize the defense.

Concussions making refs overprotective of QBs?

The NFL has a couple big problems on their hands. The first of which is the frequency we have seen players take big hits and try to get back to their feet only to stumble and wobble after suffering concussions.

The Tua Tagovailoa injury was the prime example of how not to handle a situation. He was hit by Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano and as he tried to get up his legs nearly gave out, and needed help just getting off the field. It was tabled a back injury and Tua played the rest of the Bills game and then the following week against the Cincinnati Bengals when he suffered an even more frightening injury.

Josh Tupou got into the back field and slung Tagovailoa to the ground for a sack, and the Dolphins quarterback laid motionless on the ground, with his fingers frozen indicating a neurological injury. It was a scary sight for Tua and an ugly sight for the NFL.

Since then there have been a few other players that have suffered concussions, and the NFL seems to have responded. Protecting the quarterback is key in the NFL. They are way more often then not the MVPs of the league, they make the most money, and they are one of the reason why the NFL is one of the biggest corporations in the United States. But have the NFL gone too far in protecting their quarterbacks?

Brady and Carr sacks put refs under fire

On Sunday afternoon the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were in the midst of a fourth quarter collapse against the Atlanta Falcons. After entering the final 15 minutes up 21-0, the Falcons fought back to bring the to within six points late in the game. On 3rd and 3, with three minutes left in the game Grady Jarrett sacked Brady on a seemingly innocuous play, but a flag flew and Jarrett was penalized for roughing the passer as the Bucs were given a first down and were able to seal the game after the penalty.

It happened again in the Monday Night Football game when Derek Carr was sacked by Chris Jones in a late second quarter drive. Jones actually forced a fumble on the play and recovered it himself, but the play was again ruled roughing the passer. The Raiders kept the ball, and proceeded to score a field goal extending their lead after the penalty.

Why were flags thrown?

In Jarrett’s case the flag was thrown because the Falcons defender was thrown to the ground in the eyes of referee Jerome Boger. “What I had was the defender grabbed the quarterback while he was still in the pocket, and unnecessarily throwing him to the ground.” But what is Jarrett supposed to do when he has Brady in his hands and is falling to the ground himself? Just let go?

Jones’ sack on Carr was flagged because it was deemed he drove the quarterback into the ground with all of his body weight, but in the replay you can see he tries to brace his fall by putting his hand out. Referee Carl Cheffers explained, “When he was tackled, my ruling was the defender landed on him with full body weight. The quarterback is protected from being tackled with full body weight,”

What can the NFL do about it?

Flags are generally judgement calls. What does that mean? In most cases penalties can not be reviewed, because it’s what the referee saw in the moment. Think about if that rule wasn’t in place, you’d have coaches throwing review flags for potential holding calls on almost every play.

The league used to allow reviews for pass interference penalties, but did away with that some years ago. The only penalty that is currently reviewable is a forward pass. The NFL has said they have no plans to chance the roughing the passer rules, but the least the NFL can do is put these types of plays under review.