From the makers of "What is a catch?" we (predictably) bring you "What is a fumble?"
After an extremely obvious sack-fumble from Chase Young on the Detroit Lions
' Jared Goff was ruled an incomplete pass on Sunday, it's clear that the NFL also no longer knows what a fumble is. Beyond the unnecessary stretching of basic football definitions, this ruling was especially damaging to the New Orleans Saints, who eventually lost in overtime in heartbreaking fashion.Unfortunately for the Saints, the NFL's confusing pool report explanation will give them no peace or comfort.
As explained by the NFL's Mark Butterworth, if a defender hits the quarterback before they start their throwing motion, then it can be ruled a backward pass, a.k.a. a fumble. OK, sure.
We knew that. But because Goff had started his throwing motion before the hit, it can't be a backward pass/fumble by default. It must be an incomplete pass no matter what, even if the ball was still in the quarterback's hands without their arm clearly moving forward.
What kind of nonsense logic is that? Who decides whether a quarterback Goff was entering his throwing motion? When did we start protecting quarterbacks from making mistakes just because of their "intent"? That explanation is subjective, esoteric, and beyond silly.
Still doesn't make sense to me. pic.twitter.com/JhkrFenlK4
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) September 13, 2026
Again, congratulations to the NFL. Now, we don't know what an obvious catch OR fumble is. It's a good thing those kinds of plays don't happen every single week. Oh, wait.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: The NFL’s explanation for Jared Goff’s non-fumble doesn’t make sense
