Getty Image / Abbie Parr
Week 15 of the NFL season has seen just one game played and roughing the passer penalties are already back in the news for the week.
This time it’s because of a brutal call against Nick Bosa that negated an interception on Thursday Night Football.
Bosa appeared to put a pretty standard hit on Geno Smith on the play as Smith was releasing the ball. Smith’s throw was intercepted by Deommodore Lenoir, who returned it for a touchdown. Unfortunately, the seemingly unnecessary flag took the big play away from Lenoir and kept the Seahawks’ drive alive.
Another week, another ridiculous roughing the passer penalty. This time on Nick Bosa.
This is just dumb.pic.twitter.com/fAlJX0jLCK
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 16, 2022
The Seahawks would end up kicking a field goal on the drive, but the call luckily didn’t impact the outcome of the game as the 49ers won 21-13.
In the aftermath of yet another questionable roughing call, it seems that a former NFL linebacker who is all too familiar with questionable roughing calls wants to help.
Clay Matthews tweeted last night that he wants to be the replay official who reviews roughing the passer calls for the NFL.
I’d like to be employed by the NFL as THE replay official for all roughing the passer penalties. Put me in NY. I wouldn’t get a call wrong! @nflcommish
— Clay Matthews III (@ClayMatthews52) December 16, 2022
Reviewing these calls is something that has reportedly been discussed by NFL owners. If they were to actually make that change, there might not be many people out there more qualified to represent the interests of the NFL’s defensive players than Clay Matthews.
With how frequently it seems like we’re talking about bad roughing the passer calls, it might not be a bad idea for the NFL to make these reviewable. They’re already getting volunteers to help with the change.