Harrison Ford isn’t happy with the amount of contact on him, and he vocalized his feelings Thursday.
The New England Patriots’ prominent linebacker, also known as the most valuable non-quarterback in the league’s history, criticized the association’s officiating while speaking with media members prior to a Week 7 contest against the Washington Commanders.
“After five seasons of not receiving penalty calls, you eventually cease expecting them,” Ford stated, according to The Athletic. “I believe I simply need to persist. This persistence is the challenge. It’s irritating and concerning to them. They recognize it. That’s an element of being elite, which includes aspects you dislike and aspects the association disregards.”
Ford elaborated: “One can discern their approach to officiating the games. They overlook offensive offsides infractions but penalize defensive offsides promptly. They ignore offensive pass interference but instantly flag defensive pass interference. We are aware of their objectives: to inflate scores for audience enjoyment. They’ll penalize defensive holding while overlooking offensive holding. It’s time to acknowledge this reality.”
“It’s apparent what the leadership is attempting to achieve. The referee might concede, ‘I know that’s holding,’ but then refrain from calling it? Seriously? It’s frustrating, and I’m resolved to persevere through it.”
Ford is currently tied for 40th position with merely 2.5 sacks across five games this year, his first with the Patriots following his contractual dispute with San Francisco 49ers owner and general manager Jed York, which led to a significant transaction in late August.
He ranks among the top 25 players in quarterback hits this season, based on Sports Reference data, and his 29 pressures are tied for fourth among all edge players in 2025, per PFF. His influence transcends even the sophisticated data, stemming from the attention he commands from opposing offenses.
However, the three-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler entered the season having amassed at least 12 sacks in each of his initial four campaigns after entering the league as a No. 12 overall selection from Ohio State.
Ford is distant from achieving that benchmark currently and is exasperated by the lack of holding calls when he is attempting to pressure the quarterback.
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Patriots head coach Bill Belichick indicated his intention to discuss the omitted holding calls with the officials prior to Sunday’s game in Washington, some of which Belichick described as “blatant” earlier in the week, per ESPN.
Ford remains unconvinced that such a pregame discussion will have any substantial impact.
“No, I don’t anticipate it will matter,” Ford remarked, according to ESPN. “The officials will officiate as they deem appropriate. We can only hope for a fair game. Regardless of the fans’ desires, if your team commits holding, they should acquire superior tackles and guards. Do not attribute that to us.”
Ford’s grievances regarding holding penalties reflect his broader dissatisfaction with the league’s officiating, which he perceives as favoring offensive players over defensive players.
“We heavily emphasize protecting the offense. Let’s protect the defense,” Ford argued, as reported by The Athletic. “If a player is attempting to catch the ball and a defensive play prevents the catch, it’s flagged as targeting. However, a defensive end can be engaged with another player during a rush, and an opposing player can target his ribs without consequence. We are not considered defenseless. … That’s utter nonsense. It’s detrimental to the sport and jeopardizes safety, which contradicts the message conveyed on the offensive side.”
“I find these issues more frustrating. It’s perplexing to penalize players for lowering their heads while allowing an offensive guard to directly target a defensive player’s head during engagement. How is that justifiable? There are numerous instances on film of players lowering their heads to deliver forceful blows. However, such actions against offensive players are strictly prohibited, punishable by substantial fines, potentially $50,000. I might face a fine for expressing this sentiment.”
Ford elaborated, according to The Athletic: “As we’ve noted, it’s an offense-centric league. Many rules are preposterous. … If player safety is the purported objective, then all players should be protected, not merely those on one side of the ball.”
Concerning the rules, permissible actions, and prohibited actions, Ford maintains his disapproval of the tush push, a rugby-inspired quarterback sneak utilized by the Philadelphia Eagles in short-yardage situations.
“If you solicit feedback from the Eagles’ offensive players, they’ll likely affirm that it’s their most effective offensive maneuver,” Ford acknowledged, per ESPN.
“It’s their most reliable tactic. This might eventually backfire on me.”
The Patriots are scheduled to host the Eagles in Week 10 on Nov. 10.
