NFL to consider expanding replay rules for QB hits following Patrick Mahomes controversy
Patrick Mahomes, 29, made headlines with officiating biases amid the divsional round win over AFC South champions Houston Texans.
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Patrick Mahomes (Image via ESPN)
As the Kansas City Chiefs hunt for the third title in a row, star quarterback Patrick Mahomes has come under a lot of ire this season. Mahomes, 29, has taken advantage of certain rules that give the quarterback an advantage by limiting the potential of defenders to contain him. However, recent reports suggest that change could come everyone’s way.
League sources told ESPN that the NFL is expected to expand its replay assist system this offseason to include plays such as the quarterback slide. This development comes in response to growing debates around certain penalties, including those involving hits on quarterbacks.
The NFL introduced replay assist in 2021 to allow replay officials and members of the officiating department to aid in limited game situations. It has been utilized in instances with clear video evidence, such as spotting the ball, determining a complete or incomplete pass, and ruling on whether the ball or a player touched a boundary line.
For all those complaining that Patrick Mahomes gets too many calls, relief soon could be on the way.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 25, 2025
NFL replay assist is expected to expand this offseason into plays that could include the quarterback slide, league sources told ESPN.https://t.co/4w3haqOW7i
In 2024, replay assist was expanded to cover penalties already on the field, including fouls for hits out of bounds, blows to a quarterback’s head, and elements of intentional grounding. The league is considering further expansions that would address plays involving quarterback slides, an issue highlighted during last weekend’s AFC divisional playoff game between the Chiefs and the Houston Texans.
During the third quarter of that game, Mahomes slid beneath two lunging Texans defenders and drew a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness. The call prompted criticism, with ESPN analyst Troy Aikman openly questioning its validity during the telecast. Aikman added that the league needs to consider this in the coming offseason.
As Patrick Mahomes pushes back on the controversy, the NFL wants to keep the fairness of the game
Patrick Mahomes has come in defense of the referees and alleged that he hasn’t been given any preferential treatment in the league so far. In a press conference ahead of the AFC Championship game against the Buffalo Bills, Mahomes noted that the referees are doing a great job and teams have to focus on playing their level best and living with the end results.
At the end of the day, the referees are doing their best to call the game as fair and as proper as they possibly can. All you can do is go out there and play the game that you love as hard as you can and live with the results. … I feel like I’ve just continued to play the game, and I just try to win, and whatever happens kind of happens.’
Patrick Mahomes said
However, the fairness of the game needs to be upheld for its credibility. The league’s goal is to bring more objectivity and clarity to plays that are often contentious. If a fan can figure them out from the stands or broadcast, the league needs to take action on them.
The NFL’s competition committee meets throughout the offseason to discuss potential rule changes. These discussions culminated in votes during the league’s annual meeting, which this year will take place in Palm Beach, Florida, in late March. The committee is expected to prioritize quarterback slides as part of its replay assist discussions.
Related: Travis Kelce praises Josh Allen as the QB he dreamed of being ahead of AFC Championship
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Mohammed Bazim
(449 Articles Published)