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ESPN rules analyst, Troy Aikman disagree on controversial call to pick up OPI flag, keep Chiefs TD

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh10/07/25griffin_mcveigh
patrick mahomes bobby stroupe
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

For a moment there, nobody knew if Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce connected for a touchdown. Right as Kelce was running into the end zone, a flag got thrown by the officials. However, they decided to wave off offensive pass interference, putting the Kansas City Chiefs up 7-0 on the Jacksonville Jaguars.

After getting a commercial break to look at the play, ESPN rules analyst Russell Yurk gave his thoughts on the non-call. He did not agree with the on-field decision to pick up the flag due to JuJu Smith-Schuster being past the one-yard line.

“The ball is snapped at the two,” Yurk began. “So, once again, we’re looking at the point of contact. It looks like the point of contact is just beyond the one-yard line. I agree, it’s very close. But to me, the contact was downfield enough to be a flag for offensive pass interference. Now, notably, they made this decision on the field. This is not something replay assist used to pick up and replay assist can’t put back down once they pick it up on the field.”

Right after, color analyst Troy Aikman chimed in with an opinion. There was nothing subtle about the play in his eyes. Smith-Schuster is attempting to pick to Jaguars defender, which is legal within a yard. But he gave credit to the officials for huddling up to make the decision as a unit.

“You see Mahomes,” Aikman said. “They clearly knew what they were trying to do. They were anticipating press coverage, they got it. Mahomes went and argued his case. That was a tight call, I don’t fault the officials for trying to sort that out.”

So, with the touchdown standings, the Chiefs wound up putting together an incredible scoring drive. Just five plays were needed to go 97 yards, highlighted by a 33-yard run from Kareem Hunt to kick things off. Mahomes connected with Tyquan Thornton for 34 yards to set up the Kelce touchdown one play later.

Kansas City finds itself in a tough road environment on Monday Night Football, needing a win. Dropping below .500 with a difficult stretch ahead would only set them back even more. Facing a 3-1 Jaguars team is no easy task, as they look to maintain pace in the AFC South.

Mahomes to Kelce is a connection the Chiefs can bank on every week. Thankfully, an initially thrown flag got picked up.