Is pass interference reviewable?

Another week, another controversial pass interference call. At one point, instant replay was used to confirm some PI calls. Sadly, that is no longer the case.

PI calls are controversial in nature. In many cases, they are left up to interpretation, and there is always an argument against such a decision.

In Week 15 of the NFL season, the Washington Commanders-New York Giants game ended in controversial fashion. This provided an obvious case study for any pass interference instant replay review.

Commanders wide receiver Curtis Samuel appeared to be interfered with on the final drive of the game. Somehow, in this critical spot, Washington couldn’t draw the flag.

That’s…fairly obvious, and yet another example of why pass interference was added to the list of reviewable plays, even if just for a few seasons.

Can you review pass interference?

PI was reviewable in 2020, after the Saints lost a playoff game because of a bad call. It was a reactionary measure, and one the officials were never fully behind. Because of this, very few, if any, pass interference calls were overturned. That is not the purpose of replay review. In many cases, ego got in the way, and it’s what’s keeping the league from enforcing a replay system at this very moment.

What is pass interference in the NFL?

The rule summary, per the NFL rulebook, is as follows:

"“It is pass interference by either team when any act by a player more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage significantly hinders an eligible player’s opportunity to catch the ball. Pass interference can only occur when a forward pass is thrown from behind the line of scrimmage, regardless of whether the pass is legal or illegal, or whether it crosses the line.”"

As previously mentioned, PI is often left up to interpretation. It is objective, which is a major flaw in the system.