J.J. Watt is Fed Up with “Roughing the Passer” Calls, and Honestly, So Are We
If you’ve spent any time watching the NFL recently, you’ve probably screamed at your TV over a “roughing the passer” penalty. It seems like every time a defender gets within breathing distance of a quarterback, a yellow flag magically appears on the field. Well, you’re not alone in your frustration. NFL legend and future Hall of Famer J.J. Watt has had enough, and he’s not holding back.
During a recent game, Watt took to social media to unleash on the league’s officiating, pointing out a play where a defender visibly eased up to avoid a penalty, letting the quarterback escape. “This is a perfect example of what some of these ‘roughing the passer’ calls are doing to defenders,” Watt tweeted. He’s right. The constant threat of a 15-yard penalty is forcing defenders to second-guess their instincts, turning a game of controlled violence into a bizarre dance of hesitation. It’s like telling a lion to gently hug a gazelle instead of, you know, being a lion.
The Impossible Job of an NFL Defender
Defensive players have one of the hardest jobs in sports. They’re tasked with stopping some of the most freakishly athletic quarterbacks on the planet, all while navigating a rulebook that seems to get thicker and more confusing every season. Watt himself has been on the receiving end of these baffling calls and knows the frustration firsthand. “This is just bull—,” he once vented. “You don’t want us to hit him high. You don’t want us to hit him low… Give us a break.”
He described the mental gymnastics defenders have to perform mid-play as “like performing acrobatics.” You have to tackle a 230-pound quarterback, but make sure you don’t land on him, don’t hit his head, and don’t touch his knees. Oh, and you have about 0.5 seconds to make that decision while running at full speed. It’s an impossible standard, and it’s neutering the very essence of what defense is supposed to be. Great defensive plays are being erased by flags, and it’s killing the momentum of games.
Is the NFL Protecting Quarterbacks Too Much?
Look, everyone wants quarterbacks to be safe. They are the faces of the league and the engines of their teams. No one is arguing for a return to the days of clothesline tackles. But there has to be a middle ground. The NFL‘s crusade to protect its signal-callers has gone so far that it’s fundamentally altering the game.
When a player like Dawuane Smoot of the Jaguars pulls up on a sack to avoid a penalty, as Watt pointed out, it’s a clear sign that the rules have gone too far. Defenders are now playing with a sense of fear—not of their opponent, but of the referees. This hesitation robs them of sacks and game-changing plays, and it frankly makes for a less exciting product. When a great defensive play is nullified by a questionable flag, it doesn’t just frustrate the players; it pisses off every fan watching.
J.J. Watt’s Final Verdict
J.J. Watt has always been a vocal leader, and his recent comments echo what many players and fans have been feeling for a while. “It’s so frustrating when a guy makes a great play and gets punished for it,” he said. He isn’t just complaining; he’s highlighting a systemic issue that threatens the integrity of the sport. He’s speaking for every defender who has ever been unfairly flagged and every fan who has thrown their remote in disgust.
The NFL needs to listen. It’s time to re-evaluate the “roughing the passer” rule and find a balance that protects quarterbacks without handcuffing defenders. Until then, we’ll be right there with J.J. Watt, shaking our heads and wondering when the league will let defenders play football again.
