Look, the NFL is a quarterback-driven league, even if that quarterback is Mac Jones. There are rules in place to protect those passers and keep them healthy. This is, at least in theory, a good thing.
In practice, it leads to immense frustration. Especially if you’re Washington Commanders defensive end KJ Henry. The franchise’s rebuilding mode trades of Chase Young and Montez Sweat gave the rookie fifth round pick a chance to shine in Foxborough against the New England Patriots. He stepped up with what should have been his first career sack.
Instead it ended with 15 free yards for the Patriots and a first down because of, uh … well, maybe you could argue that it was a body weight thing, but honestly, this was some grade A nonsense:
This was flagged for roughing the passer pic.twitter.com/T7d76u5vgJ
— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) November 5, 2023
Jones was holding the ball when Henry hit him from the blindside, landing on top of him on the way down but sliding off to complete the tackle. It was a completely unavoidable finish to a great play and it looked a hell of a lot like a normal, celebratable sack. Instead, it got flagged for roughing the passer and turned what should have been a fourth-and-long into a fresh set of downs on an eventual field goal drive for New England.
Needless to say, fans and analysts were frustrated and annoyed with the potentially game-changing call.
i bet the nfl will fine him too https://t.co/U7bVTgZAfP
— Danny Kelly (@DannyBKelly) November 5, 2023
This is the worst roughing call I’ve ever seen. Negated a sack-fumble for rookie KJ Henry. Would have been his first career sack.
Do better, @NFL. This is a joke. pic.twitter.com/MMtgYj7PnA
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) November 5, 2023
The KJ Henry roughing the passer calls is the WORST I've ever seen.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) November 5, 2023
Mac Jones just got crushed and they called a roughing the passer penalty. No idea what they expect Washington's KJ Henry there.
Patriots got lucky with a bad call there.
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) November 5, 2023
This was called roughing on KJ Henry. Scandalous pic.twitter.com/0c87J1zCaD
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) November 5, 2023
That kind of officiating should be grounds for suspension. That roughing the passer is about as embarrassing a call I’ve ever seen. Officiating like this is unacceptable. That call is suspension and fine worthy. A game changing call Robbing KJ Henry of a huge play.
— Conor Forrest (@conorforrest_) November 5, 2023
So they fine Pat Ricard more than $21K for a simple lead block last week, then flag KJ Henry for this here. And all so they have a shiny "We care about player safety" object to point to as they schedule more short weeks and put down more turf fields. https://t.co/JNFDt5pRMb
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 5, 2023
The roughing the passer call on Washington’s KJ Henry on Mac Jones, is so embarrassing to the league, it’s getting absolutely ridiculous.
— Mike Golic (@golic) November 5, 2023
That is a horrible call against KJ Henry. What a joke.
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) November 5, 2023
I cannot believe they called that. KJ Henry with the best pass rush KD the game and then they call that absolute trash.
The WR becoming the defender on Forbes also committed PI. If it’s a PI on a defender, it’s PI on the WR. Prevented the INT with a foul and it’s not called.
— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) November 5, 2023
What is KJ Henry supposed to do there? What a joke
— Mitchell Tischler (@Mitch_Tischler) November 5, 2023
HOW IS THIS ROUGHING THE PASSER??
KJ Henry got robbed of a sack
Refs are losing their sh**. Is he supposed to put him on a blanket?#NFL #WASvsNE
— Jens CFB (@vanhullejens) November 5, 2023
KJ Henry of Washington just got a personal foul for just playing football. Unbelievable. He tackles Mac Jones – while Mac has the ball – and causes the fumble. Normal tackle. I’m watching this game with former Patriot @devinmccourty & he agrees this is a terrible call. Unreal.
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) November 5, 2023
NFL Officiating just took away KJ Henry's first career sack, failed to officiate a clear OPI that would've put New England out of field goal range – or nearly out – and was responsible for putting the Patriots into that range to begin with. Terrible series for the officials.
— David Harrison (@DHarrison82) November 5, 2023
A disgustingly bad roughing the passer on KJ Henry. Just Ridiculous! #HTTC
— DC Sports Buzz (@DCSportsBuzzz) November 5, 2023
