Week 8: Kirk Cousins
Week 9: Daniel Jones
Week 10: Deshaun Watson
Week 11: Joe Burrow
Cousins and Jones were non-contact injuries while in the pocket
Nobody is really sure when Watson got hurt; there was a video the day after the game that suggested it was on a scramble where he got hit in the shoulder, but unconfirmed
Burrow got taken down on a fairly routine hit one play before his injury, on the play where the injury occured he threw a pass and then went down in pain without contact
None of those 4 should have been roughing the passer imo
Maybe the thought process is…
More RTP penalties = more coaching/practice to avoid serious hits = less likelihood of QBs on the ground = less likelihood of injuries.
I think the same reasoning is why it seems like OTs jumping before the snap for an extra step and so many plays looking like holds not being called so the NFL can neutralize the pass rush and keep the fun exciting part of the game (for the common audience) going strong.
No casual viewer (Swiftie watching for Kelce) is enjoying defensive dominance. They want high flying, QB centered offenses scoring tons of points so that’s what the NFL wants.
