If news that should make fans very happy, the NFL will raise the burden for roughing the passer against quarterbacks this season. According to CBS’ Jonathan Jones via the league’s officiating department, officials will no longer call roughing the passer for “incidental” contact against the quarterback.
Via Jones’ article, here’s the specifics.
“Since 2011, any movement of the quarterback’s head caused by contact by a defender would be ruled a foul. Upon review this offseason, the NFL didn’t feel there was a safety issue with just any contact to a quarterback’s head. When a pass rusher tries to “match” the quarterback’s hand when attempting to block or bat a pass, the potential incidental contact to the QB’s head or neck won’t be flagged for roughing.