Patrick Mahomes may force NFL into major rule change next season after Kansas City Chiefs backlash
Mahomes got backlash from NFL announcers for his flopping antics
A CONTROVERSIAL Patrick Mahomes play might end up changing the NFL rulebook.
Mahomes appeared to take a dive in an effort to secure a penalty in the divisional round, but was unsuccesful.
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Patrick Mahomes’ antics could inspire an NFL rule change
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Troy Aikman has called for a flopping penalty after Mahomes’ divisional game
The NFL always gets criticism for the way they officiate games, and now fans are complaining even when flags aren’t thrown.
This is because the most protected players in the game, quarterbacks, appear to be flopping to try to get more penalties.
This was apparent in the Kansas City Chiefs Divisional Round game against the Houston Texans.
In this game, Mahomes was running towards the sideline when he suddenly slowed down before going out of bounds.
This caused the defender to hit him, and Mahomes appeared to flop to the ground in an attempt to make the referee think he was hit while out of bounds.
The officials didn’t fall for it, and even the ESPN announcers denounced the behavior from Mahomes.
There is no official penalty for flopping, but Troy Aikman said on air that he thinks the NFL should consider creating one.
“He’s trying to draw the penalty. Rather than just run out of bounds, he slows down,” Aikman said.
“And that’s been the frustration, and I get it. I understand it.
“That’s been the frustration for these defensive players around the league.”
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During the same drive where he attempted to flop for a penalty, Mahomes successfully twisted a flag from the referee’s hands.
The quarterback took off running and decided to slide just a moment before a defender was about to make contact with him.
Two Texans defenders came crashing in, making contact with each other but barely touching Mahomes.
Still, they got an unnecessary roughness penalty for 15 yards.
Aikman said that he “could not disagree” more with the roughing call.
Conference championship schedule
NFC Championship Game
Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles (Fox)
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“He’s a runner. I could not disagree with that one more, and he barely gets hit,” Aikman said.
“That’s the second (questionable) penalty now that’s been called against the Texans.
“It was a late flag, and it was Clay Martin who threw it.”
Aikman further implored the NFL to “address it in the offseason,” after the play.
There’s no telling whether or not the NFL will look to create a flopping rule, but fans are certainly calling for it with Mahomes’ recent behavior.
