NFL will yet again crack down on roughing the passer calls, but it should result in fewer penalties in 2022

There was a record number of these penalties last season

The NFL is yet again cracking down on roughing the passer calls this 2022 season. Except, this time, it should result in fewer roughing calls.

The league's officiating department, in consultation with the competition committee, will ease off some of the roughing calls that have caused many of us watching to say, "What was the defender supposed to do?!"

While "forcible" contact to the head or legs of the quarterback will still be properly ruled as roughing the passer, the incidental contact to the passer should not draw a flag, according to documents provided by the NFL. Walt Anderson, the NFL's SVP and head of officiating training and development, has instructed his officials of these new rules throughout the offseason, and officials are explaining the rule clarifications to coaches and teams during training camp this preseason.