Chargers' Jim Harbaugh Frustrated With Steelers' Pat Freiermuth For Baiting Derwin James

During the Pittsburgh Steelers' Week 3 win against the Los Angeles Chargers, Pat Freiermuth was hit by Derwin James in a controversial play. The NFL did not take kindly to James’ hit, deeming that he lowered his head in violation of player safety rules. As a result, the league suspended James for one game.

The incident occurred in the third quarter when James lowered his helmet to hit Freiermuth, drawing a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness. The NFL was firm in its response, citing James as a repeat offender of their safety regulations. They emphasized that there was a clear way for James to tackle Freiermuth without making illegal contact.

Many Steelers fans felt James deserved the suspension, agreeing that, under NFL rules, the hit was illegal and avoidable. Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, however, expressed frustration with the league’s decision, strongly disagreeing with the suspension.

"There was not a defenseless player, changed his course, and I thought that Derwin’s helmet was stiff-armed by Mr. Freiermuth," Harbaugh said. "I thought that caused his head to make the contact, and I thought the contact was first with the forearm, then the shoulder, then the head."

Harbaugh was unequivocal in his stance, stating he believes the NFL made a mistake by suspending his player for one game. 

He further elaborated on why, despite appearances, he feels James did not violate the rules. Harbaugh also placed blame on Freiermuth.

"You can never really take the head out of the game because it’s in between the two shoulders," Harbaugh said. "Trying to tackle with the shoulder, now the head, the helmet’s coming with it. It’s in between the two shoulders. So, to the best of his human ability, he is trying to do that. Genuinely cares and wants to do it the absolute right way."

Harbaugh noted that James has even gone the extra mile by reaching out to the league and officials for guidance on how to tackle without violating league rules.

"He has reached out on his own to officials this past summer to gain a better grasp of how they want it done," Harbaugh said. "And the evidence is right there in the tape. I mean, look at all his 20-some tackles on the season and he is going out his way, literally going out of his way, sometimes giving up yards, so that he can not injure another player or hit him with the head. So yeah, I’m disappointed."

Upon reviewing the play, it seems that while Freiermuth does extend his arm, it doesn’t affect James the way Harbaugh suggested. Most dedicated football fans agree that the hit doesn’t warrant a suspension. 

However, the rules have evolved significantly over time. Today’s game places a much greater emphasis on player safety than it did a decade ago. A hit like James' wouldn't have led to a suspension in the 2000-2014 era, but the game has changed rapidly. Based off the NFL rules of today's era, that hit from James was technically in violation of league rules. 

Steelers' Pat Freiermuth Gets Protection From The NFL

While football remains a physical and often violent sport, the NFL has made it a priority to eliminate dangerous plays. Helmet-to-helmet contact has been a key focus, especially with players like Freiermuth, who has dealt with multiple concussions. The league has made it clear they’re not pleased with James' hit, and while Harbaugh voiced his frustration with the suspension, the NFL is taking a hard stance on player safety.

James plans to appeal the suspension, but regardless of Harbaugh’s opinion, the reality is that his player could have avoided the hit and made a safer tackle. Whether this is considered fair or not isn’t really up for debate—the rules are the rules, and the NFL will strive to apply them as equitably as possible.

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