Joe Flacco has never been one to hold back his thoughts, and as he inches closer to a possible 19th NFL season, the veteran quarterback is speaking candidly about the direction of the game-especially when it comes to how defenders are penalized for hitting quarterbacks.
This week, ahead of the Super Bowl, Flacco voiced his frustration with what he sees as overly protective roughing the passer rules. Specifically, he took aim at two penalties he believes should be scrapped altogether: defenders being flagged for landing on quarterbacks, and incidental contact to the head.
“I don't think it should be roughing the passer when they land on us,” Flacco said. “I don't think being slapped in the head should be roughing the passer.
It honestly annoys me because it affects games in a negative way at random times. They can call it or not call it.
It needs to get out of the game.”
That last point-that the calls feel inconsistent and random-is something defenders and fans alike have echoed in recent years. The rules are written with an emphasis on protecting quarterbacks, but the gray area leaves plenty of room for interpretation. And in a game where one penalty can swing momentum-or even decide the outcome-that’s a real issue.
Flacco acknowledged the league’s growing emphasis on player safety, particularly around concussions and CTE, but he also made it clear: this is football. “We signed up to play it,” he said.
The NFL’s rulebook does back up Flacco’s complaints-at least in terms of how subjective these calls can be. There’s even a note that instructs referees to err on the side of caution: “When in doubt about a roughness call or potentially dangerous tactic against the quarterback, the referee should always call roughing the passer.”
Under Rule 12, Section 2, Article 11, defenders are barred from “stuffing” a passer into the ground, unnecessarily wrestling or driving him down, or landing on top of him with most or all of their body weight-even if the initial contact is legal. Instead, defenders are expected to wrap up and avoid excessive force, especially when the quarterback is in a “defenseless posture,” like during or just after a throw.
That’s a tall order for defenders flying full speed at a moving target. And to Flacco, it’s a shift that reflects how the league has changed over the last decade.
“I don't think anybody coming into the league these days is quite as battle-tested as the guys who came in the league 15 years ago,” he said. “If you're a good high school recruit, you can kind of ride your way through college and they're going to pick you because you have potential. I think there was less of that 15 years ago.”
It’s a classic veteran take, but not without some merit. Flacco’s seen the game evolve-on the field, in the locker room, and in the rulebook.
He came into the league during a more physical era, where quarterbacks were expected to take hits and get back up. Now, the league is built to protect its most valuable assets-sometimes to the frustration of the players themselves.
“I think our generation does benefit from dealing with a little bit of tougher times,” Flacco added, “just like the generation 20 years before me benefited over us.”
Flacco, of course, has plenty of mileage to speak from. The former Super Bowl MVP has thrown for over 48,000 yards, with 272 touchdowns and 172 interceptions over the course of his career. After being traded from the Browns to the Bengals in October-along with a sixth-round pick in exchange for a future fifth-he’s still evaluating whether he’ll return for another season.
If he does, it would mark season number 19 for one of the league’s most enduring quarterbacks. But whether or not he’s under center in 2026, Flacco’s comments add to a growing conversation around how the NFL balances safety with the integrity-and physicality-of the game.