Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Tyreek Hill believes the NFL should bring back polarizing rule

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 10/11/23

Miami Dolphins wideout Tyreek Hill is one of, if not the fastest receiver in the NFL.

So it should come as no surprise that defensive backs often do whatever is necessary to either slow down or jam Hill up on his routes, prompting the 29-year-old receiver to advocate for the NFL to bring back the controversial rule that allowed replay reviews on pass interference penalties.

“I don't know why they took it away,” Hill said during a recent appearance on the “It Needed to be Said” podcast. “…If there was a pass interference, the other coach could challenge it and they could wipe it off. … I think they should definitely bring that back. Bring that back, and once it's a pass interference, just add those receiving yards to my yardage."

The NFL experimented with making PI calls subject to review in 2019 after referees missed a blatant pass interference penalty on Los Angeles Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman on Saints receiver Tommylee Lewis during the 2018 NFC Championship Game that some argued cost the Saints a trip to the Super Bowl.

January 20, 2019: Drew Brees pass intended for Tommylee Lewis sails incomplete. Nickell Robey-Coleman on the coverage. No flag. #LARvsNO #NFCChampionship pic.twitter.com/AvzGcpGm2h
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) January 20, 2020

After implementing the rule for one season, it was scrapped the following year by the competition committee due to a lack of interest in keep the PI reviews as part of the game on a regular basis.

As for Hill, it’s easy to see why he’s in favor of the rule returning. He and teammate Jaylen Waddle were two of the better receivers at drawing defensive pass interference penalties last season.

When DPI was called against either receiver, the Dolphins offense benefited by 25.1 yards per infraction on average, per Sharp Football Analysis. Given Hill’s speed, the Dolphins would greatly benefit even more offensively if they could challenge DPI penalties against Hill and Waddle that are missed.

More must-reads: