Steelers' Cam Heyward Calls Out NFL Refs After Penalties for Hits on Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts

Pittsburgh Steelers star Cam Heyward may be biased as a defensive linemen, but he's not pleased with some of the defensive penalties that were called during Week 3 of the NFL season.

With penalties called against defenders hitting Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts in particular as the backdrop, Heyward addressed the difficult position defenses are in when facing quarterbacks in the modern game.

"We struggle so much as an NFL when we let quarterbacks play this little game on the sideline instead of either getting the ball out quicker or sliding or just throwing the ball out of bounds," he said during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show (three-minute mark). 

"They have way too many options. But as a defender, he can scurry up the sideline, he can make sure he gets a couple extra yards. I think we've gotta take that out of our game. If they want to get hit, they're going to get hit."

Hurts scurried up the sidelines during a play in Monday's game between his Philadelphia Eagles and the Chicago Bears. 

Bears linebacker D'Marco Jackson was given an unnecessary roughness penalty for a hard hit he unleashed right as the quarterback was approaching the sideline:

As for Mahomes, a play when the Kansas City Chiefs were deep in their own territory stood out for those upset with some of the calls. Miami Dolphins linebacker Chop Robinson came down on Mahomes with his body weight right after the Chiefs quarterback unleashed a pass from his own end zone and was called for roughing the passer.

"When I saw that clip, I didn't know if it was AI or not because when I saw it, they put a pillow underneath Pat," Heyward joked (1:30 mark).

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It may be difficult for defenders, but the NFL is almost always going to lean toward caution when it comes to the quarterbacks. Whether it is landing with body weight during a sack attempt or hitting a running signal-caller near the sidelines, the flags will likely continue to arrive.

But that doesn't mean Heyward is going to be happy about it.