In a move that could reshape how controversial quarterback slides are officiated, the NFL is expected to expand the use of its replay assist system to include QB slides starting in the 2025 season. The change aims to bring more objectivity and clarity to plays that often spark heated debates among fans, players, and analysts alike.
Replay Assist Set for QB Slide Upgrade
According to league sources, the NFL Competition Committee will discuss adding quarterback slides to the list of plays eligible for replay assist when they convene this offseason. Replay assist, first introduced in 2021, allows replay officials and designated members of the officiating department to help on-field referees make certain calls using clear video evidence.
The system has already been expanded several times to cover more scenarios, such as fouls for hits on the sidelines, blows to the quarterback’s head, and intentional grounding. Including QB slides would be the next logical step in leveraging technology to get calls right on the field.
Mahomes Slide Controversy Sparks Change
The impetus for this potential rule change stems from a controversial penalty called in last weekend’s AFC divisional playoff game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes scrambled out of the pocket and slid to the ground, drawing a 15-yard unnecessary roughness flag on Houston despite minimal contact from defenders.
“Oh come on… I mean, he’s a runner and I could not disagree with that one more. He barely gets hit.”
– Troy Aikman, ESPN Analyst
Aikman and others argued that Mahomes unfairly baited the defense into the penalty, leading to calls for the league to “address it in the offseason.” By adding QB slides to replay assist, officials could get an objective look at the contact and timing to make the appropriate call.
Bringing Consistency to Quarterback Protection
While the league has made significant strides in protecting quarterbacks in recent years, the application of those rules remains somewhat subjective. Defenders often struggle to pull up in time when a QB suddenly slides, and passers have been accused of accentuating contact to draw flags.
Replay assist could help bring consistency to these calls by providing an impartial review of the play in question. Officials would have the benefit of multiple angles and slow-motion to determine if the contact was unavoidable or if the quarterback initiated it unnecessarily.
Addressing Accusations of Preferential Treatment
The Mahomes slide incident reignited discussions about certain quarterbacks, particularly superstars, receiving favorable treatment from officials. Texans rookie Will Anderson Jr. went as far as saying his team knew they would be battling “the refs” in addition to the Chiefs.
While Mahomes himself pushed back on the notion, saying referees are just trying to call the game fairly, the controversy persists. By adding an objective replay element to these situations, the NFL could quell some complaints about biased officiating.
Preserving the Integrity of the Game
At its core, replay assist is about getting calls right and maintaining trust in the integrity of the game. Including quarterback slides is a common sense evolution of that mission. As Troy Aikman alluded to, there’s no reason the league shouldn’t leverage readily available technology to resolve these controversies conclusively.
If approved, the expansion of replay assist to QB slides would take effect for the 2025 NFL season. While it may not eliminate all debates around quarterback protection, it would provide a clearer, fairer basis for officials to make these high-stakes judgment calls in real-time. For fans, players, and coaches alike, that additional clarity would be a welcome development.
