AARON RODGERS has reportedly escaped a fine despite criticising officials after his side lost to Buffalo Bills.
The New York Jets star was critical of the number of flags during the 20-23 game.
Aaron Rodgers escaped a fine despite criticising match officials[/caption]
Rodgers was neutral in his comments as he questioned decisions that went both for and against his side.
He highlighted one incident where Bills edge rusher A.J. Epenesa should was flagged for roughing the passer on a third-quarter sack, claiming his action did not break rules.
Rodgers said after the game: “It seemed a little ridiculous [the number of flags].
“Yeah, some of them seemed really bad. Including the roughing the passer on me.
“That’s not roughing the passer. Might as well play Sarcastaball if we’re gonna call those things. And I thought the one on [Jets defensive tackle Javon] Kinlaw was not roughing the passer, either.”
Rodgers also said that a Jets touchdown by rookie running back Braelon Allen was wiped out by a “phantom holding call.”
The NFL usually sanctions players who criticise officials with a fine, though does not publicly state whether they have done so.
However Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports Rodgers has not been hit with a fine.
He wrote: “Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the league did not fine Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers for criticizing officials in the aftermath of a Week 6 Monday night loss to the Bills.”
Last December, the NFL fined Browns defensive end Myles Garrett $25,000 for criticizing officials after a win over the Jaguars.
Garrett said: “The officiating was a travesty today.
“It was honestly awful. And the fact that they’re letting them get away with hands to the face, holding, false starting — I know they called a couple, but damn, they could have called it all game. . . .
“I mean, respect to those guys, it’s a hard job, but hell, we have a hard job as well. You can’t make it harder by throwing holding and hands to the face out the rulebook.
“And like I said, I got a lot of respect for those guys, but we get scrutinized for the plays that we don’t make. So someone has to hold them accountable for the plays or the calls they don’t make.
NFL head coach annual salaries
1. Andy Reid – Chiefs – $20 million
2. Sean Payton – Broncos – $18 million
=3. Mike Tomlin – Steelers – $16 million
=3. Jim Harbaugh – Chargers – $16 million
5. Sean McVay – Rams – $15 million
6. Kyle Shanahan – 49ers – $14 million
7. John Harbaugh – Ravens – $12 million
=8. Dan Campbell – Lions – $11 million
=8. Sean McDermott – Bills – $11 million
10. Mike MacDonald – Seahawks – $10 million
“And they need to be under the same kind of microscope as we are every single play.”
Rodgers has been plagued by injuries this season and has suffered another setback ahead of Week 8.
He has had problems with his knee and ankle in recent weeks but now has a new issue, with his hamstring now wounded.
And it is feared the 40-year-old’s mobility could have been effected in their 37-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7.
“It’s new,” confirmed Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich.
“Something that kinda flared up this past game. They’re gonna assess it all week long.
“He’s gonna treat his butt off like he always does. I don’t anticipate this affecting him in playing.”
