Will Patrick Mahomes be favored by the referees? The NFL will apparently respond to this frequently heard accusation soon.
When the Kansas City Chiefs face the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, all eyes will be on Patrick Mahomes.
The focus will not only be on his spectacular style of play, but also on the referees’ decisions regarding his actions.
In the past, there have been regular heated discussions about whether the quarterback is favored by the referees in controversial situations – especially when he prepares to perform one of his now famous slides, i.e. going down on the ground after a run and being tackled by an opponent in the process.
The NFL is likely to take a closer look at such actions in the future. As “ESPN” reports, from next season, quarterback slides could also be among the situations that are re-evaluated and decided on using video evidence.
The NFL Competition Commission could make the relevant decisions in March, the report continues.
Most recently, a sliding tackle by Mahomes in the Divisional Round against the Houston Texans (23-14) caused a stir when Texans linebacker Henry To’oTo’o was called for a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty for his action against the Chiefs quarterback.
Henry To’oTo’o was called for a penalty after this hit on Patrick Mahomes. HOUvsKC ESPN, ABC, ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/w4E4cSI3FF
— ESPN (@espn) January 18, 2025
Even a former quarterback couldn’t understand this decision. “Oh, come on,” said ESPN expert and Cowboys legend Troy Aikman during the broadcast. “He’s a runner at the moment and he’s hardly getting hit either.” There were also two controversial calls in the AFC Championship Game between the Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills – both times with the better end for the hosts from Kansas City.
Troy Aikman calls on NFL to act
“You can’t be a quarterback and try to run around and try to get around defenders and then benefit from a penalty,” the three-time Super Bowl winner complained.
Aikman demanded that the league “deal with this in the offseason”.
Which it now most likely will.
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