Steelers' Patrick Peterson Offers Advice To The NFL For Improving Officiating Errors

The Pittsburgh Steelers have recently found themselves embroiled in a whirlwind of officiating controversies, particularly in their Week 8 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. While the Steelers faced adversity on the field, there was no shortage of questions and criticisms directed toward NFL officials. 

The frustration was palpable, with Head Coach Mike Tomlin's animated reactions to disputed calls, Chris Boswell's monumental 56-yard field goal nullified, and Diontae Johnson's impassioned comments regarding the officials' role in the game. To make matters even more perplexing, the inconsistency in officiating came to the forefront when Kenny Pickett was injured on a play that went unnoticed, while Keanu Neal was penalized for a seemingly less egregious act. These circumstances led several members of the Steelers organization to address the issue of officiating in the NFL.

Steelers' Patrick Peterson's Solution

In the midst of the ongoing discussions about officiating errors in the NFL, Patrick Peterson, on his podcast All Things Covered, shared his insights and suggestions on how the league can address the current officiating problem. Peterson, known for his exceptional skills on the field, expressed his concerns and offered a comprehensive plan for enhancing the quality of NFL officiating.

Peterson's solution involves the NFL transitioning to full-time officials, enabling them to dedicate more time and effort to improving their performance. He emphasized the importance of these officials having the ability to thoroughly review game film, calls, and player motions. By providing them with the resources and time to study and develop a deeper understanding of the intricacies of the game, Peterson believes that officials can make more accurate and consistent calls.

"They have to hire these guys full-time so they can continue to look at film, look at calls, look at motions to have a study guide on certain players." 

He expressed concern that current NFL officials often have full-time jobs outside of officiating, which limits their ability to focus solely on their role as game officials. The NFL states that officials are considered part-time employees.

Peterson argues that their attention should not be divided between two responsibilities.

"These guys have regular 9-5’s so they are focused on their 9-5. They are not solely focused on how to call a game and how to get better."

His words underscore the need for officials to make officiating their primary focus. Being an NFL ref is a part-time job and they don't receive benefits. The NFL does not state how much refs earn, but per Sporting News, the highest earning refs bring home $250,000 per year. 

A Precious Season: Playoff Implications

Peterson's concerns go beyond the desire for improved officiating. He pointed out the high stakes of NFL games, especially as the season progresses.

"These games are too precious in this moment of the season when we are playing an AFC opponent when this could come down to if we make the playoffs or not." 

His comments highlight the critical impact officiating can have on a team's playoff hopes. These are big games and every play holds so much weight. The NFL is a very hard and unforgiving business. Making a couple bad calls can literally be the difference in a coach keeping his job, a player making the roster, or a contract getting signed. It may sound dramatic, but it's the truth. As Tomlin would say, "The Standard is the Standard" and these officials need to be held to that standard. 

"We want to always make sure the game is being officiated the right way," Peterson emphasized.

By advocating for full-time officials, Peterson aims to ensure the integrity of the game and to provide a fair and consistent experience for players, coaches, and fans. 

The Challenges of Officiating

Officiating in the NFL is a demanding and highly scrutinized profession. Regardless of the accuracy of their calls, officials often face strong pushback from various segments of the football community, including fans, teams, and players. 

Achieving perfection in officiating may be an impossible goal, but Peterson's proposed solution—investing in full-time officials—could be a significant step toward a more refined and consistent NFL officiating experience. By offering officials more financial incentives and the time to focus exclusively on their craft, the NFL has the opportunity to improve the quality of the game for everyone involved.

As the NFL grapples with officiating challenges, voices like Patrick Peterson's resonate as important contributions to the ongoing discussion. In the quest for improved officiating, the idea of full-time officials has garnered attention as a potential solution to address some of the inconsistencies and controversies that have marred the NFL landscape. While it remains to be seen if the league will heed this advice, Peterson's concerns underscore the significance of officiating quality in ensuring the fairness and integrity of America's most popular sport.

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