Former NFL coach Jon Gruden recently shared his thoughts on the often-debated pass interference rule, suggesting the NFL adopt a system similar to college football. Currently, pass interference in the NFL results in the ball being placed at the spot of the foul, sometimes leading to significant yardage gains on a single penalty. Gruden, speaking on the "Pardon My Take" podcast, expressed concern over the impact these calls have on games.

He proposed a 15-yard cap on pass interference penalties, mirroring the NCAA rule. Gruden believes this change would mitigate the dramatic swings in field position that can occur with the current NFL rule. He highlighted the subjective nature of pass interference calls, noting inconsistencies between officiating crews and the lack of a universally understood definition of the infraction. "I don’t think there’s a common thread in what is and what isn’t pass interference," Gruden stated, adding that the ambiguity contributes to the penalty's oversized influence on game outcomes.

Addressing a potential loophole where quarterbacks might intentionally underthrow passes to draw penalties, Gruden argued that pass interference should only be called when the infraction is blatant and undeniable. He referenced former referee Jerry Austin's philosophy that "pass interference should call itself," implying the foul should be so obvious that everyone watching, even casual observers, would agree on the call.

The NFL briefly experimented with making pass interference reviewable in 2019, likely in response to a controversial no-call in the 2018 NFC Championship game between the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints. However, this rule was rescinded the following year. Gruden's comments rekindle the discussion around the pass interference rule and its impact on the game, offering a potential solution inspired by the college game.