The annual NFL owners’ meeting is underway in Phoenix, Arizona as offseason affairs mount. The gathering is one which typically garners interest as coaches and general managers are wont to let insiders in on valuable information.
Apart from that, rule changes are a subject of intrigue. And, given that one of the proposals regarding a tweak to the roughing the passer call, the possibility of a change loomed. Well, that is until this Tuesday, when the owners rejected the request to have the call become reviewable in 2023.
The penalty has been the cause of lots of debate these last few years as the NFL is keen on protecting quarterbacks, possibly to a fault. As a result, defenses are being hit with 15-yard penalties, whether or not a defender is shown to have had the intent to injure.
The call is contentious, to say the least, which is why it was suggested that the call become reviewable so officials could have enough time to make the correct decision. However, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the proposal has been knocked back.
This is pretty surprising as the call has affected the outcomes of certain games many think should have gone the other way.
With so many other aspects already subject to review, having one of the most controversial calls added to the list seemed fair enough. Yet it appears the owners aren’t ready to make the game less dramatic just yet.
