Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been the league’s best signal-caller since entering the league in 2017, but has also become a polarizing figure due to a series of controversial calls benefiting his team.
One of the biggest controversies came in last year’s divisional-round playoff win over the Houston Texans, when many fans grew angry at a pair of roughing calls that benefited Mahomes. The Chiefs quarterback pushed aside any allegations of favoritism at the time, and now a top NFL official is stepping in to address the controversy.
‘No Preferential Treatment’ for Patrick Mahomes
The Chiefs beat the Texans 23-14 in last season’s divisional round to advance to the AFC Championship game, but the win was overshadowed by some contentious calls. Many fans disagreed with a roughing the passer call on Texans defender Will Anderson Jr. and also took issue with a second unnecessary roughness penalty when officials determined that Mahomes was hit as he was giving himself up.
NFL official Shawn Hochuli was asked about the controversy this week, pushing aside allegations of preferential treatment for Mahomes. While not addressing the Chiefs quarterback by name, he stressed that officials are not looking to treat anyone differently.
“We treat all players the same with regard to safety fouls,” Hochuli said. “We obviously treat all quarterbacks the same with regard to roughing the passer. Anybody with the ball, a sliding player whether it’s a quarterback or not. So I would just say that I don’t have anything other than we treat all players the same.”
Hochuli did concede that some of the rules put defenders in a more difficult position, but said they have done a great job of adapting.
“Now, it’s a difficult game from a rules standpoint from the defensive side of the ball, things like illegal contact and things of that nature,” he said. “I will say that these players in my 12 years are exceptional at adapting to the rule changes, whether it’s roughing the passer or illegal contact.
“These are unbelievable athletes who do unbelievable things and they’ve adapted, so I credit them for that. There’s obviously no favoritism or preferential treatment toward not only one player, but one position.”
Patrick Mahomes: ‘I Don’t Really Pay Attention to It’
Mahomes was asked about the controversial calls after the divisional round win, saying critics always look for something to blame and crediting officials for doing the best they can.
“I’ve kind of learned that no matter what happens during the game, something is going to come out about (the refs) if you win, if you continue to win,” Mahomes said in an appearance on The Drive. “I don’t really pay attention to it. Obviously, I’ve been on both sides of it as far as how I’ve felt that calls were made. But at the end of the day, those guys are doing their best to make the best calls and keep it to where the players are making the plays in the game and that’s what decides the outcome.”
The Chiefs advanced to the AFC title game and beat the Buffalo Bills to advance to the Super Bowl, but could not escape more controversy that week. Many took aim at officials for what they saw as incorrect spots when the Bills had the ball, including a critical run by Josh Allen late in the fourth quarter that was marked short of the line to gain.
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