OT: Chiefs favorable penalty

[SleepyLion]

Believe it or not, a QB is defenseless after a turnover.

... unless they are actively pursuing the returner?

 

[Erial_Lion]

... unless they are actively pursuing the returner?

The exact wording is broken into two sections...

The first covers who is a defenseless player, getting the extra protections. For a QB, it identifies one of the defenseless examples as...

1. A quarterback at any time after a change of possession (also see Article 11-e for additional restrictions against a quarterback after a change of possession).

Then, further along, it clarifies the protection they get. It states...

1. A passer who is standing still or fading backward after the ball has left his hand is obviously out of the play and must not be unnecessarily contacted by an opponent through the end of the down or until the passer becomes a blocker, or a runner, or, in the event of a change of possession during the down, until he assumes a distinctly defensive position. However, at any time after the change of possession, it is a foul if:
   1. an opponent forcibly hits the quarterback’s head or neck area with his helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder
   2. if an opponent lowers his head and makes forcible contact with any part of his helmet against any part of the passer’s body. This provision does not prohibit incidental contact by the mask or the helmet in the course of a conventional block.

So, they basically get full protection until they "assume a distinctly defensive position", which would align with your clarification of "actively pursuing the returner". But, even when they are pursuing, they get those two additional protections that aren't afforded to the other 10 offensive players trying to make a tackle.

Cliff notes...NFL Owners pay QBs a crap ton of money, and want to make sure no one gets a free shot at them.

And Washington caught a break with Luvu not getting a penalty on the Martin pick 6...it's a legal hit on the other 10 players, but I was surprised it didn't get flagged since it was the QB. But the unstoppable force that is Jayden Daniels would have scored a TD anyways, so no harm, no foul.