NFL owners voted to approve a rule proposal to make offensive and defensive pass interference, including non-calls, subject to review on Tuesday (March 26). The rule will initially be for 2019 only.
The Cincinnati Bengals was the only team not to vote in favour of the amendment.
“This is what I wanted to happen," said Saints owner Gayle Benson on the decision, per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport: "That’s why I made my statement. (The non-call in the title game) will never happen again.”
The Saints became a significant piece in the argument for expansion of the rule after a non-call in the NFC Championship game likely cost them a place in Super Bowl 53. Head coach Sean Payton, a member of the Competition Committee, said it was "backwards thinking" to leave the rules unchanged in the run-up to the vote.
"We think it was a good change," Payton told reporters: "We're trying to address the two fouls that most impact games... The last three years coaches are being a little bit more judicious with their challenges. I think that will continue especially the minor fact that you now have a more meaningful play you can challenge."
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell summed up how the much talked about rule change - which was described as a "non-runner" as late as Monday night - came about:
"I personally believe it was the fact that every club wanted to get, and the league wanted to get these plays right," Goodell said at a press conference: "Replay is to get it right. And ultimately people compromised, I think, on long-held views because they want to get the system right. They want to get the play right.
"Our job is to get these [calls] right and we should use every available means to get them right," he continued: "Will this solve every problem? Will this get us to perfect? It's the old saying, right? 'Don't let perfect get in the way of better.' This is a very natural evolution and obviously a very positive thing."
As per current rules, coaches will continue to have two challenges per game, and booth reviews will determine calls in the final two minutes of the half.
COVER PHOTO: Washington Post
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