After review of 61 taunting flags in 2021, NFL decision-makers agree all but five met league's standard

INDIANAPOLIS — There is wide agreement among NFL decision-makers that their 2021 standard for taunting penalties should largely remain in place moving forward, NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said Tuesday.

The league's internal review of 2021 film revealed a total of 61 taunting flags in 2021, the most in at least two decades of league play, following a point of emphasis intended to reduce hostilities between players. Of that total, 56 were attributed to acts the NFL will continue to legislate, a list that includes standing over and/or pointing to opponents, as well as moving toward an opponent's bench.

«We have to stand on sportsmanship,» Vincent said. «That was universally in agreement.… But there are areas we need to clean up.»

Vincent was part of an expanded meeting Tuesday morning with the NFL competition committee, the general manager advisory council and the coaches subcommittee, all of whom are gathered for the scouting combine. There were only five calls from 2021, Vincent said, that the group agreed should not be penalized in the future. Among them was a flag against Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt during a Week 13 game against the Baltimore Ravens. On the play, Watt exchanged words with a Ravens player as he was walking away from him.

«We're not looking for that,» Vincent said. «The referee can inject, separate them, give them an opportunity [to keep playing]. 'Celebrate with your teammates' was a phrase that was pretty clear. Don't go back toward your opponent.»

Meanwhile, two veteran coaches — the Kansas City Chiefs' Andy Reid and the Ravens' John Harbaugh — led a discussion about expanding the replay assist program instituted to widespread acclaim in 2021. The rule