JJ Watt lists UNIQUE ways to improve officiating amidst multiple game-impacting errors
Former defensive ace JJ Watt has solutions to fix NFL officiating problems and lack of competitiveness from NFL owners.
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Full ownership and accountability is what JJ Watt would focus when trying to fix NFL officiating problems (Image via Imago/SS)
This NFL season is about to enter its twelfth week of football. In all the weeks prior to this, the most talked about aspect has been mistakes in officiating. Most of them have been game altering, which is why those debates about referee accountability came to the fore, leading the likes of JJ Watt to be frustrated.
Officials have missed penalties in many games, while some penalties have baffled fans and analysts. The most obvious were the penalties that went the way of some teams, particularly the Kansas City Chiefs, whereas officials missed many of their penalties.
In a few games, officials missed crucial penalties despite being in the line of sight. For example, officials did not call the facemask tackle on Sam Darnold. A referee was in the line of sight, but failed to call it, despite protests from the quarterback.
The likes of JJ Watt, several former players, analysts and fans have pointed out those problems. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year was speaking on the Pat McAfee Show where he was asked what he would do if he was the league’s commissioner.
I would compensate the refs more and make them full time employees. But I would also have the punishments be higher. I would have a promotion-relegation system for officials. I think there needs to be more accountability from them.
JJ Watt on the Pat McAfee Show
"If I was commissioner of the NFL for a day I would compensate the refs more and make them full time employees..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 20, 2024
There would also have to be more accountability for them because the players are getting graded on every play" ~ @JJWatt #PMSLive https://t.co/ml6uEJsxzd pic.twitter.com/sEh3L6zKWU
JJ Watt did mention that the officials have a tough job. But the lack of accountability is causing such problems. Making them full-time employees puts the onus on their bosses to hold them accountable at every step.
JJ Watt would also push incompetent owners out
JJ Watt’s suggestions for improving officiating came as his response to the question of what he would do if he were made NFL commissioner. Before sharing his own ideas, however, he discussed another solution he had heard from elsewhere.
If you haven’t won a playoff game in twenty years, you are forced to sell the team. That’s an interesting one. Cause you are going to get a profit, it’s not like it’s a major punishment, you are gonna get billions of dollars.
JJ Watt on the Pat McAfee Show
Hearing this, host Pat McAfee mentioned that it would be similar to how relegation happens in European soccer. But he also mentioned that fifteen years was a better judgement period. That would help them push for competitiveness and give the paying fans some entertainment.
After McAfee discussed this, he asked which owners would immediately come to mind. His colleagues suggested Stephen M. Ross of the Miami Dolphins and Woody Johnson of the New York Jets. The Dolphins have not won a playoff game throughout the time Ross has been the owner.
The New York Jets on the other hand have been the laughingstock of the footballing world. Johnson’s questionable decisions are not helping the team develop into a competitor, which is why the panel mentioned his name first.
Related: Deebo Samuel gets candid about his most “frustrating season” in the NFL
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Joseph Varghese
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