'Work in progress': NFL's Roger Goodell, Troy Vincent address officiating complaints - ESPN

IRVING, Texas — The NFL hears the rampant complaints about its officiating and is trying to do something about it.

But it won't apologize for correct calls, commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday at the NFL owners meetings.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid were the latest stars to sound off on officiating after wide receiver Kadarius Toney was flagged for offensive offside to negate a late, brilliant touchdown play between Travis Kelce and Toney. Toney's foot was clearly in the neutral zone.

«I think almost everybody has acknowledged that the officials are absolutely correct,» Goodell said. «That's their job to call it a foul… I think it shows you how difficult it is to do their job.»

Vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said, «we have to act responsibly» when calls are missed because «we want the game to be played on the field.»

The NFL has a weekly internal grading system for each crew, and it has attempted to keep the same crews together on a consistent basis this season.

«We're always looking to improve officiating. It's a constant work in progress,» Vincent said. «We're not perfect. The concern is to make sure we're getting better.»

Total penalties per team each game, which includes declined penalties, is 7.2 this season, up from 6.6 last year and the highest since 2019 (8.1). Several star players have begun publicly questioning the consistency of officiating. That criticism has reached the broadcast booth, where «Monday Night Football» game analyst Troy Aikman criticized Monday night's Packers-Giants crew for taking too long to decipher a play.

«We understand [criticism]. That's not new,» Goodell said. «You get that. It's frustrating. We know how hard the players are