Once again, the referees’ decision in favor of Patrick Mahomes provided material for discussion. An ex-NFL quarterback is now calling for an end to the special protection for quarterbacks on running plays.

The NFL referees were in the spotlight after the Kansas City Chiefs’ 23-14 win over the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round.

In particular, a 15-yard penalty for “roughing the passer” after Patrick Mahomes was lightly hit by Texans defender Henry To’oTo’o during a late slide at the end of a run caused controversy.

Referee Clay Martin defended the thrown flag: “He’s clearly sliding, and when he does that, he’s considered defenseless. The responsibility lies with the defender.”

On Sunday, of all people, an ex-quarterback jumped to the defense of the NFL defenders. Kurt Benkert, who was once under contract with the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers and played an NFL game for the Packers, called for an abolition of the sliding rule at “X”.

Ex-Quarterback demands a change in thinking in the NFL

“The NFL has to remove sliding from the rules of the game. QBs are runners when they are out of the pocket and should protect themselves as such,” said Benkert.

For running quarterbacks, he demanded: “Go down extremely early, otherwise anything goes.”

According to the current NFL rules, all attacks on a quarterback who finishes his run with a slide are penalized. Observers repeatedly criticized the fact that the strict interpretation of the rules does not allow defenders time to react to extremely late quarterback slides.

The NFL needs to remove sliding from the game.

QBs are runners outside of the pocket and should have to protect themselves as such.

Go down extremely early, or else it’s fair game.

— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert) January 19, 2025