Washington defensive end Chase Young was called for what might be the worst roughing the passer penalty of the year on Sunday — if not the worst penalty, period.
The call against Young came in the third quarter of Sunday's game against the Falcons, in which they had the ball with a 23-22 lead. Young is seen shoving Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan up high — not nearly hard enough to bring him to the ground or dislodge the ball. Ryan's pass was intercepted on the play, but replay shows Ryan's knee actually hit the turf after the glancing blow from Young, which should have resulted in a timely sack for Washington on fourth-and-2.
MORE: Panthers' Sam Darnold makes history against Cowboys ... with his legs
Instead, the penalty resulted in a free 15 yards for the home team, giving them a fresh set of downs at the Washington 27. Atlanta went on to score a touchdown, taking a 30-22 lead with 14:52 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Here is the play in question:
This was called roughing the passer on Chase Young 🤨pic.twitter.com/eMfzQ4WnA6
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) October 3, 2021
MORE: Washington's Chase Young sets Twitter ablaze with hit on Patriots' Cam Newton in preseason debut
If Young had hit Ryan harder, officials might not have mistaken it as roughing on the defensive end. This isn't the first time Young has been called for a controversial roughing the passer penalty, either: He had the same call after tackling Daniel Jones against the Giants on "Thursday Night Football" after putting his full weight on him.
— , (@qccfb1) September 17, 2021
Once again, Twitter was none too pleased with the call:
This is a terrible roughing the passer call on Chase Young. Young should have just made a proper tackle attempt, in fairness, but it was never roughing the passer pic.twitter.com/wOdpgJv22c
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) October 3, 2021
Chase Young penalized again for hittting the QB and not leaving him a 25% tip
— PFTCommenter (@PFTCommenter) October 3, 2021
That call against Chase Young is in a very small class — as worst call of the year.
— Colin Cowherd (@ColinCowherd) October 3, 2021
Chase Young just got a roughing penalty on a play where he actually didn't hit the QB hard enough.
— Burgundy Blog (@BurgundyBlog) October 3, 2021
The NFL's attempt to protect the QB is just a complete disaster.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) October 3, 2021
That is not a personal foul on Chase Young. He ran by him and threw a forearm to his shoulder pad. #WashingtonFootball
I also hate to be that guy but why is chase young shoving Matt Ryan and not tackling him
— Jordan Asri (@wfteamjordan) October 3, 2021
A flag on Chase Young there is quite possibly as bad as a flag can get. He didn’t even 2 hand touch because he was trying to avoid it and they still somehow did? Booooo NFL, booooooooooo
— Nate (@BarstoolNate) October 3, 2021
#WFT DE Chase Young was flagged for roughing the passer on this hit. It was fourth down and Matt Ryan’s pass was intercepted (and his knee appears to have been down for a sack).
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) October 3, 2021
Unbelievable penalty. pic.twitter.com/peMLh616vh
