Patrick Mahomes talking to NFL ref.Patrick Mahomes and NFL ref (Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports)
The NFL presented compelling data on Wednesday that won’t please the crowd who thinks the refs are out to rig games for Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

During the 2024 NFL season, angry fans accused the NFL and its officials of cheating to help the Chiefs win games. The conspiracy theory grew so much that Commissioner Roger Goodell had to address it during Super Bowl week, calling the claims “ridiculous.”

Additionally, NFL Referees Association executive director Scott Green put out a scathing statement on the claims, calling them “insulting.”

Per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the league presented data on Wednesday showing how many penalties each starting quarterback drew per 100 hits in the 2024 season. Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa drew the most penalties with 7.32.

In fact, Patrick Mahomes was only eighth on the list with 3.53 fouls per 100 hits. Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills), Bryce Young (Carolina Panthers), Cooper Rush (Dallas Cowboys), Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals), Jared Goff (Detroit Lions) and Baker Mayfield also drew more than Mahomes:

Like the other 31 teams, the Kansas City Chiefs benefit from and suffer from officiating mistakes. But as the league data shows, the idea that the refs are protecting Patrick Mahomes must be put to rest.

Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs Suffered Ugly Loss To Eagles In Super Bowl 59

NFL referee and Patrick Mahomes (Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports)
Countless fans were ready to throw around the “rigged” conspiracy theory for Super Bowl 59 between the Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles. But Jalen Hurts and the Eagles put that to rest with a dominant 40-22 victory over the defending champions in the big game, one that was officiated fairly after the questionable offensive pass interference call against A.J. Brown in the first quarter.

Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins Unloads On NFL Refs, Wants The Media To Call Them Out For Favoring Eagles In Super Bowl 59

DeAndre Hopkins speaking during a press conference.DeAndre Hopkins (Photo by Stephen Lew-Imagn Images)
Kansas City Chiefs superstar wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins didn’t mince words on the performance of the NFL officials following the team’s ugly Super Bowl 59 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

DeAndre Hopkins and the Chiefs were no match for Jalen Hurts and the Eagles, who cruised to a 40-22 victory to deny Kansas City the first-ever Super Bowl three-peat. It was a quiet day for “Nuk”, who finished the night with just two catches for 18 yards and a touchdown.

The NFL officials were a hot topic going into Super Bowl 59, thanks mainly to the Chiefs benefiting from questionable calls in the Divisional Round (vs. Houston Texans) and AFC Championship Game (vs. Buffalo Bills).

But with the Chiefs losing in blowout fashion, Ron Torbert and his crew mostly avoided public scrutiny and backlash. Still, the 18-point loss didn’t stop DeAndre Hopkins from criticizing the refs after the game, per Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk:

“It’s my first year being with the Chiefs, and I saw a lot of things in the media about the refs, but…what y’all gonna say now about the refs and us when there was a lot of touchy calls? Are y’all gonna report that? Are y’all gonna talk about the refs now?”

 

There was a questionable call against Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie, who was penalized for unnecessary roughness on tight end Dallas Goedert following an incomplete pass on third down. The fresh set of downs led to Hurts’ rushing TD to open the scoring:

DeAndre Hopkins & Chiefs Can’t Blame Refs For Lopsided Loss

At the end of the day, the Chiefs can only blame themselves for losing by 18 points. Patrick Mahomes had arguably the worst game of his career. Travis Kelce was a no-show, along with the entire offensive line. And it’s not like the KC defense did its part to keep the team in the game.