It is important for the NFL to protect not just quarterbacks, but all players. However, there has been an emphasis on the signal-callers for obvious reasons.
Unfortunately, a “roughing the passer” penalty on Sunday proves that the league has gone too far. It was the softest roughing call in NFL history.
C.J. Stroud rolled out to his left and threw a deep pass downfield as he stumbled toward the sideline. Quinnen Williams was in hot pursuit.
The 300-pound Jets defensive tackle did not get to the Texans quarterback before he released the ball. Stroud took at least two full steps before Williams gave him a little shove with two hands.
While it was late, there was not a lot of force behind the push. Stroud lost his balance but stayed on his feet. He was totally fine. Williams did not impede the play. Nor was there any risk of injury.
And yet, out came the yellow flag.
By the rules, the officials were not wrong in their decision. Williams pushed Stroud after his release.
With that being said…. WHAT ARE WE DOING?!
Roughing the passer is called roughing the passer. Not two-hand touching the passer.
At what point does the rule need to change? Is there no way for the officials to let a little push go?
There is a large element of human error and subjective decision-making to roughing the passer. Every referee will call it differently. Nothing is consistent and the call on Williams was so weak.
Perhaps the pendulum should swing back in the other direction. Protecting quarterbacks is great, but let’s take a step back and use the eyeball test to determine what is roughing or not. Maybe there should be something between roughing and nothing. A late hit is very different than roughing.
Williams was not “roughing.”