The NFL’s officiating controversies from Week 4 have fueled increasing frustration throughout the league. Incidents involving Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride and Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson quickly became major talking points, with NFL officials now facing growing anger from around the league.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported on the reactions he heard from several coaches and executives around the league following the incident.

“What happened Sunday was an embarrassment for football,” one said.

“Some of these refs are making it about themselves,” another one remarked.

“It’s bullshit that there’s no accountability,” a frustrated coach or executive said.

“We are playing with dangerous waters with the way officiating is going right now,” another one warned.

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The controversy involving McBride occurred during the Cardinals’ 36-24 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday. With Arizona trailing late in the game, McBride questioned why officials did not call defensive pass interference after Dru Phillips made contact with him before the ball arrived.

Video of the exchange appeared to show line judge Jeff Seeman responding to McBride with profanity. McBride did not address the incident during his postgame comments, while the NFL later suspended Seeman for two games.

  • Another unusual incident occurred during the Vikings’ victory over the Miami Dolphins. Wilson accidentally collided with referee Adrian Hill after Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II appeared to push Wilson into the officials.

Hill fell to the ground, and when Wilson attempted to help him up, the referee reacted angrily and directed the linebacker away from him. The NFL later determined that Hill’s conduct was inappropriate and suspended him for one game.

This isn’t the first time an official has faced punishment because of his interactions with a player on the field. However, according to Schultz, the frustration has been intensified by the fact that coaches and executives feel they cannot publicly speak out about officiating without potentially facing backlash from the league and possible fines.