The NFL is set to allow replay on quarterback slides following the uproar surrounding a controversial penalty during the Kansas City Chiefs’ divisional-round victory over the Houston Texans. This decision reflects the league’s responsiveness to officiating concerns raised by players and fans alike.
According to a report from ESPN, penalties related to quarterback slides will become reviewable in the 2025 season through the NFL’s replay assist system. This change aims to improve the accuracy of officiating and address the growing demand for clarity in penalty calls.
In the aftermath of the Chiefs’ game, several penalties involving star quarterback Patrick Mahomes drew significant attention. The most debated incident occurred in the third quarter when Texans linebacker Henry To’oTo’o seemingly collided with Mahomes just as he was going down on a running play. Notably, most of To’oTo’o’s momentum appeared directed toward a teammate during the play.
Despite Mahomes being a runner at that moment, To’oTo’o was penalized for unnecessary roughness, granting the Chiefs an automatic first down. This drive ultimately culminated in a touchdown, extending Kansas City’s lead by eight points.
If the new replay assist rules are implemented, that controversial hit would be subject to review. However, other contentious plays involving Mahomes would not fall under this new guideline. For instance, the Texans were penalized for roughing the passer in the first quarter when Will Anderson Jr. tackled Mahomes high after he released the ball.
[Related: Patrick Mahomes doesn’t feel officials favor Chiefs]
Another incident on the same drive involved To’oTo’o again, where he pushed Mahomes as he ran along the sideline in the fourth quarter. Mahomes appeared to exaggerate the contact, likely hoping to draw another unnecessary roughness penalty. No flag was thrown, so replay assist would not have been applicable in this case.
A few days later, Mahomes acknowledged his role in the situation, admitting he may have overdone it on the sideline push. “I would say the only one I felt like I probably did too much was the one on the sideline where I didn’t get the flag,” he shared on 96.5 The Fan. “The refs saw it, and it didn’t get a flag. I understood it immediately and know that I probably shouldn’t have done that.”
Tom Brady, the lead analyst for NFL on FOX, also expressed concern regarding the penalty against To’oTo’o for his hit on Mahomes, urging the NFL to reconsider how it protects quarterbacks who are actively running with the ball.
Replay assist has been part of NFL games since 2021, enabling quicker reviews to correct clear errors on the field. Currently, reviewable plays include the spot of the ball after a play and whether a pass was completed. Starting in the 2024 season, certain penalties—such as intentional grounding, late hits out of bounds, and high hits on quarterbacks—will also be reviewable.
The NFL’s competition committee is scheduled to meet during the annual league meeting from March 30 to April 2, where further discussions on these changes are expected.
