The NFL has put an emphasis on the safety of quarterbacks at the expense of the defense. In Saturday’s preseason opener, Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen created a new technique to avoid drawing a roughing the passer penalty.
Allen swam past Carolina Panthers center Pat Elflein with a clear path to quarterback Baker Mayfield. But Mayfield was able to throw the football. Instead of putting a hit on Mayfield, and potentially drawing a penalty, Allen threw his hands up.
That’s one way to not get called for a penalty. Oftentimes, offenses are bailed out with the slightest contact on a quarterback by a defender. Allen made a heads-up play showing his hands as he nudged Mayfield.
Now will this be a new routine for Allen? Or was it just a spur of the moment thing? Will other pass rushers and blitzers adopt the same approach?
The changing rules geared for safety have made defensive players adapt. Allen was able to show that if he doesn’t have an obvious chance to make a sack, he’s going to be smart about approaching a quarterback.
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