NFL team proposes massive rule change

This past NFL season has led to a ton of criticism towards the NFL regarding their roughing-the-passer rules, and in particular how questionably it has been enforced by NFL officials. Reports have emerged that one NFL team is pushing for the league to make a significant change to the current ruling of roughing the passer.

While things like completed catches and fumbles are reviewable plays, roughing the passer is not a reviewable call by officials. That may change if one NFL team gets its way.

According to Ari Meirov of The 33rd team, one NFL team has submitted a proposal for roughing the passer calls to become reviewable by instant replay. Meirov added that this is something that the NFL competition committee will likely discuss on Monday.

One NFL team has submitted a proposal that would allow roughing the passer calls to be reviewable by instant replay. The competition committee is expected to have discussions on that tomorrow.

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 26, 2023

Many fans took notice of this report and appear to be thrilled at this possibility.

Good @NFLPA @nflcommish https://t.co/Xhtd5iMkzi

— 𝕵𝖔𝖊𝖞𝕵𝖊𝖙𝖘 (@JetsAGNB) February 27, 2023

why isn’t every penalty reviewable by instant replay https://t.co/CBBFia3pqz

— m 🌋 (@RoblesTruther) February 26, 2023

This needs to happen https://t.co/gGNPjQCCwi

— Kelsey Bodziner (@beachBODZ) February 27, 2023

Need this. ASAP https://t.co/QMxjsesgIk

— “That’s Fascinating🫴🏾” (@john_hickman12) February 26, 2023

While some are holding out hope that this is considered and passed by the NFL competition committee. However, it appears very clear that the competition committee feels that there’s very little wrong with the current rules.

NFL.com’s Judy Battista reported on Sunday that the committee looked at 80 roughing the passer calls throughout this past season and only found 3 calls that were “questionable”.

Committee looked at 80 plays of roughing the passer, found only 3 questionable. Big convo: sling vs. slam. Slam is problematic — when a defender picks up the QB in the air and slams him on the ground. Slinging is more considered the natural progression.

— Judy Battista (@judybattista) February 26, 2023

Most NFL fans would likely look at those same 80 calls from officials and feel that many are far more questionable than they believe to be.

It remains to be seen if the rules will ultimately change, but the indication at the moment appears to be that the rules currently in place will likely stay the same for the time being.

[Ari Meirov on Twitter, Judy Battista on Twitter]