For those complaining that Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is getting too many calls, relief is coming soon.
NFL replay aid is expected to expand this offseason to include quarterback slides, league sources told ESPN.
The NFL enacted replay assistance in 2021 to allow replay officials and designated officiating department members to assist with live calls in limited game situations.
Replay assistance is already used during games when there is clear and obvious video evidence (such as spots or fouls on the ball, complete or incomplete passes) and when the ball or line is touched.
Starting this season, the league has expanded replay assistance to add additional areas that can provide information when there are free throw flags on the field, including off-field fouls, boundary violations, fouls, and fouls. Elements of quarterbacking and intentional grounding.
Now, in the offseason, other elements could be added, especially after a third-quarter replay assist was questionable in last weekend’s divisional playoff game when Mahomes crawled out of the pocket and slid to two The stinging Texans defender, who was still drawn in for unnecessary roughness, was penalized 15 yards against Houston.
“Oh, come on,” ESPN analyst Troy Aikman said on the telecast as the play was fined. “I mean, he’s a runner, and I don’t agree with that anymore. He barely got hit.”
Aikman went on to say that the league “has to figure it out in the offseason.”
“As a quarterback, you can’t play games with defenders and then get fined,” Aikman said.
The NFL’s competition committee meets throughout the offseason before voting on rule changes typically at the league’s annual meeting in late March, which this year will be held in Palm Beach, Florida. The competition committee will discuss expanding the heavy secondary, which could include a quarterback slide.
The belief around the league is that there is no reason not to bring further objectivity and clarity to fans that can be seen by any fan in the stadium or at home.
Texas star passer Will Anderson Jr.
However, Mahomes put off the idea of ​​the Chiefs getting good treatment from officials.
“I don’t do that,” Mahomes said Wednesday as the Chiefs began preparations for the AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills. “As appropriate as possible.”
“All you can do is go out there and play the game you love and live with the results. … I feel like I just keep playing the game and I just try to win no matter what happens.”
