Is the NFL about to change the “roughing the passer” rule? As per a report, an NFL team has submitted a proposal for a rule revolution to the league. At issue is instant replay.

Is the NFL about to change the “roughing the passer” rule?

According to a report by “NFL Network”, an NFL team has submitted a proposal for a rule revolution to the league.

According to the report, the issue is whether such a call by the referees can be immediately looked at by instant replay.

The NFL’s competition committee is expected to consider the proposal shortly.

NFL classifies only three calls as “questionable “

However, there is not much hope that a rule change will be made, according to the report.

The committee held a meeting last Sunday in Indianapolis – where the NFL Scouting Combine is being held this year.

It must have looked at 80 plays where the referees ruled roughing the passer. Only three of those were deemed questionable.

So, after fans, pundits and players heavily criticised such a call by the referees on an almost weekly basis during the close season, the committee finds only three decisions questionable.

Proposal to go before Team Owners in March

This probably says a lot and suggests the league doesn’t envision a rule change. The NFL wants to continue to protect its quarterbacks through the strict interpretation of the rules.

Whether the proposal goes through anyway will be decided in March. If the team – which is not known – does not still withdraw, the proposal will be put to a vote of all team owners – whether the committee is in favour or not is irrelevant.

It is impossible to say whether an immediate review on such a call will then have any actual effect.