For those complaining about too many calls on Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, relief may soon be coming.
Replay assists in the NFL are expected to be expanded to include plays involving quarterback slides this offseason, league officials told ESPN on Saturday.
The NFL instituted Replay Assist in 2021, allowing replay officials and designated members of the officiating department to assist with on-field calls in limited game situations.
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Replay assists have been used during matches where there is clear and unambiguous video evidence, such as the spot of a ball or foul, a complete or incomplete pass, or contact with the ball or line.
Starting in 2024, the league will expand replay assist to include an area that can provide information if there is a penalty flag already on the field. This includes fouls for hits that go out of bounds, fouls for hits to the quarterback’s head, and elements. Intentional grounding.
Now, there could be additional pieces added this offseason. A replay assist came into question in the third quarter of last weekend’s AFC divisional playoff game. That’s when Mahomes scrambled out of the pocket and slipped under two rushing Texans defenders, still giving Houston a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness.
“Come on, come on,” ESPN analyst Troy Aikman said during the telecast when the play was called for a penalty. “I mean, he’s a runner, and I couldn’t agree more on that. He doesn’t get hit very often.”
Eichman said the league “has to address this issue in the offseason.”
“As a quarterback, you can’t run around and play a game with a defender and then get called for a penalty,” Eichman said.
The NFL’s competition committee meets throughout the offseason and then votes on rule changes at the league’s annual meeting, usually held in late March and this year in Palm Beach, Florida. The competition committee is expected to discuss expanding replay assists, which will likely include quarterback slides.
Across the league, there is no reason not to bring more objectivity and clarity to the play that fans can see in stadiums and at home.
Texans star pass rusher Will Anderson Jr., who was cautioned for roughing the passer early in last Saturday’s game, said Houston “knew it was going to be a match for us and the referees going into this game.” ” he said.
But Mahomes dismissed the idea that the Chiefs were getting preferential treatment from officials.
“I don’t feel that way,” Mahomes said Wednesday as the Chiefs began preparing for Sunday’s AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills. “At the end of the day, the officiating team wants the game to be fair. “We’re doing our best to make sure it’s fair.” As appropriate as possible.
“All you can do is go out there and play the game you love to the fullest and accept the consequences. … I feel like I just keep playing the game, and I… I’m just trying to win, and whatever happens happens.”
