The NFL held its annual competition committee meetings over the weekend in Indianapolis, where teams have the opportunity to propose new rules for the upcoming season.
During the meeting, the NFL Competition Committee reviewed more than 80 plays of roughing the passer from the 2022 season and determined that three of them should have been called for a penalty. Also of discussion was officiating and how to make it more consistent going forward.
According to Judy Battista of NFL.com, the Los Angeles Rams proposed a rule that would make roughing the passer penalties reviewable by instant replay:
A few final pieces from the Comp. comm today. The Rams proposed making roughing the passer reviewable and the 4th and 15 idea might be proposed yet again.
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) February 27, 2023
Roughing the passer has been a controversial topic in recent years. While it is designed to protect quarterbacks, officials have missed some key calls, and some of them wound up changing the outcome of the game.
Defenders are unable to apply their full weight on a quarterback or a penalty will be called. However, that is not always the case, and there are other instances where a quarterback is actually roughed up and doesn’t get the call.
While it would make sense to allow roughing the passer penalties to be reviewable, the proposed rule reportedly is not expected to receive support from the NFL Competition Committee. Either way, a potential rule change would need to be voted on by ownership during March’s Annual League Meeting.
Rams’ Jalen Ramsey drawing interest from Lions & Raiders
The Rams’ roster will likely have many new faces next season after the team mutually parted ways with Bobby Wagner. L.A. is also expected to trade All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey in the coming weeks to create cap space and replenish their draft capital.
Despite being owed $17 million next year, Ramsey figures to have a strong market, with the Detroit Lions and Las Vegas Raiders among the teams potentially interested.
