Cam Heyward isn’t holding back after Week 3’s controversial defensive penalties, flat out telling the world that defenses are getting absolutely hammered by the NFL’s protective quarterback rules. The Steelers star defensive lineman, naturally a bit biased, is boiling over the flags thrown for hits on quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts, pushing back against the impossible situation defenders face.
The Quarterback Sideline “Game” That’s Breaking the Rules
Heyward absolutely ripped into what he calls “this little game” quarterbacks are playing on the sideline, putting defenders in an impossible spot. He was on The Rich Eisen Show, laying it all out: QBs have too many options, like getting the ball out quicker, sliding, or just throwing it out of bounds, but they don’t always do it. Instead, they “scurry up the sideline” for a few extra yards, and that’s when things get ugly for the defense. He’s clear: “If they want to get hit, they’re going to get hit.” Jalen Hurts did exactly that during Monday’s Eagles-Bears game, scrambling up the sideline. Bears linebacker D’Marco Jackson got flagged for unnecessary roughness after a hard hit right as Hurts was nearing the boundary, a prime example of the kind of play Heyward is fuming about.
Mahomes’ “Pillow” And The Roughing Rush
The frustration didn’t stop with Hurts. Heyward took direct aim at a roughing the passer call on Patrick Mahomes during the Chiefs-Dolphins game. Kansas City was deep in their own territory when Dolphins linebacker Chop Robinson came down with his body weight on Mahomes right after the Chiefs QB unleashed a pass from his own end zone. That was a flag. Heyward’s reaction? He joked, “When I saw that clip, I didn’t know if it was AI or not because when I saw it, they put a pillow underneath Pat.” It’s a hilarious line, but it screams frustration. The NFL is always going to lean toward caution when it comes to quarterbacks, whether it is how a defender lands during a sack or hitting a running signal-caller near the sidelines.
Get ready for more of this, because the flags are going to keep flying. Heyward might not be happy, but the league is clearly sticking to its guns, making life absolutely miserable for defenders who are just trying to do their job.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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