“Got to Be Better”: Sean Payton Highlights Major Concern Looming Large Over NFL World

It’s not often that players and fans share equal frustration concerning a rule in the league. However, after witnessing several questionable calls during games, the inconsistencies seen in roughing the passer penalties have called for a renewed focus on addressing the issue. Referees shoulder the responsibility of ensuring that unwarranted roughness that leaves players vulnerable to injuries is penalized. However, certain inconsistencies in the calls that came during inopportune moments for some teams raised many questions among fans.

And now, one key voice spoke up about the need for the issue to be addressed. Newly appointed head coach at the Denver Broncos, Sean Payton has voiced his concern over the matter at hand. And his take resonates with what many in the NFL world have been asking for.

Sean Payton thinks the NFL is at the precipice of a crisis

NFL insider Tom Pelissero took to Twitter to share excerpts of his interview with Sean Payton. He said,

Payton emphasized the need to address the situation. He said, “It’s something that we got to be better at. So how do we handle that? So one of the items is being able to possibly challenge roughing the passer. I think that’s the one thing to me that stands out that is really up and down.” The Broncos’ head coach believes that a potential solution to the inconsistencies that have arisen would be the provision to challenge the calls that are made.

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However, this is not the first time that a rule has been called upon to become reviewable during games. In 2019, pass interference was made reviewable by replay. But that lasted for a year before it was scrapped. So will we see a potential move from a league concerning roughing the passer reviews? Here’s what one NFL reporter had to say.

The league fails to find a middle ground

According to NFL Network’s Judy Battista, the proposal to make roughing the passer penalties reviewable was brought up in the NFL Owners Meeting in Phoenix. However, there reportedly wasn’t enough support for the proposal. But, what do players have to say on the matter?

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Defensive players like Nick Bosa opened up about the need to be careful in order to avoid calls. One of the key arguments that many have against inconsistent calls is the fact that quarterbacks are overly protected. During last December’s Chargers faceoff against the Dolphins, what looked like a routine tackle involving Jaelan Phillips and Justin Herbert was ruled a penalty. Former defensive end JJ Watt addressed the penalty. Deeming it an unnecessary call, Watt said that the whole fiasco was “absurd.” While there are many who are in favor of having these calls challenged, it doesn’t seem like the top brass will be making a move to change the rules any time soon. What are your thoughts on the matter? Do these calls need to be challenged? Is NFL really facing a crisis? Let us know in the comments.