NFL commissioner Roger Goodell disagrees with the idea that league officials have favored the Kansas City Chiefs amid the team’s quest for a three-peat with quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“This reminds me of the script that I write for the entire season,” Goodell ironically said Monday during a press conference in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl LIX, according to David Bearman of Pro Football Network. “A lot of those theories happen in social media and get a new life. No (one) wants it to be their theory, but it reflects the fans’ passions.”
“It’s a ridiculous theory, for anyone who might take it seriously. But at the end of the day, it’s something we might have to continue to work on,” Goodell added, according to Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports.
NFL referees have been heavily criticized this postseason for their work in Chiefs games. After both of Kansas City’s playoff wins last month – against the Houston Texans in the divisional round and versus the Buffalo Bills in the AFC title game – members of the losing side complained about the officiating.
Texans edge rusher Will Anderson said he knew Houston would be going up against the refs in its meeting with Kansas City after officials called two questionable penalties for roughing the passer and unnecessary roughness on Mahomes.
Bills Mafia was also upset at the refs after Buffalo fell short in the AFC Championship Game again. Bills general manager Brandon Beane recently said he disagrees with two questionable calls given to K.C. on crucial plays.
The Chiefs play their fifth Super Bowl of the Mahomes era against the Philadelphia Eagles on Feb. 9. Kansas City could become the first team to lift the Lombardi Trophy in three consecutive years.
Goodell also addressed two hot topics around the NFL on Monday – the league’s potential expansion to 18 regular-season games and a potential conflict of interest involving Tom Brady, who serves as the lead NFL analyst at Fox Sports and is also a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.
“We haven’t had any formal negotiating sessions about an extension. I’m sure it will come up,” said Goodell, who added that he’s only had “informal conversations” about an extra contest with NFL Players Association executive director Lloyd Howell, according to Epstein.
The 65-year-old praised Brady’s professionalism, saying the legendary quarterback has been in constant contact with the NFL to make sure he’s balancing his owner and broadcaster responsibilities appropriately.
“Tom has been incredibly cooperative,” Goodell said, according to Greg Auman of Fox Sports.
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