Packers’ Jon Runyan Says NFL Referees Are Trying to Phase Out QB Sneak Plays

The Green Bay guard had strong words regarding the NFL’s officiating of sneak plays on Sunday.

Packers guard Jon Runyan made a bold claim on Wednesday, stating that the NFL is trying to “phase out” quarterback sneak plays.

Runyan told Packer Central that he believes the QB sneak plays have been a point of emphasis with the league’s officials after the guard was flagged for lining up offside on two sneak plays in Sunday’s win over the Rams.

“I guess it was a point of emphasis with the officials,” Runyan said on Wednesday. “I wish we would’ve been told that for the first one. It’s something that’s got to be communicated better. That’s the NFL trying to phase that play out slowly.”

Green Bay Packers guard Jon Runyan shed light on the team’s offsides issues on a pair of quarterback sneak plays Sunday :: Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY NETWORK

On fourth-and-1 with six minutes to play in Sunday’s first quarter, Runyan was flagged for lining up offside after a first down sneak by quarterback Jordan Love. On another fourth-and-1 with eight minutes to play in the second quarter, Love pushed forward for two yards and another first down, but Runyan was flagged for lining up offside again.

When a reported asked Runyan if it’s rare for an in-season point of emphasis for the officials, Runyan reiterated his prior point.

“I think they have a point of emphasis every week,” Runyan said. “Apparently, they send out a weekly video talking about that. Apparently, that was in the weekly video but I had no idea. I didn’t even know they sent out a weekly video on points of emphasis. That was on it [last] week and you can tell they were definitely looking for it because they called it twice on us.”

NFL fans outside of the city of Philadelphia have complained about the “Tush Push” play that the Eagles have run to perfection on fourth and short situations dating back to last season. There have been discussions on whether or not the play should be legal, and with all the talk about quarterback sneaks and the legality in the way the plays are run, it’s no surprise that the league is taking a closer look at these short yardage plays across the NFL.

As for Runyan, he’ll certainly be paying better attention to how he lines up on QB sneak plays moving forward.