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NFL Suspends Entire Officiating Crew Led by Brad Rogers After Controversial Finish in Chiefs–Jaguars Game

 Posted October 7, 2025

Jacksonville, FL — October 7, 2025

The NFL has officially suspended referee Brad Rogers and his entire officiating crew following the highly controversial ending to Monday’s Chiefs–Jaguars matchup — a game that ignited national outrage and sparked widespread debate over officiating integrity.

According to league sources and officiating assignment data from Football Zebras, the suspended crew consisted of:

  • Referee: Brad Rogers (#126)

  • Umpire: Bryan Neale (#92)

  • Down Judge: Patrick Turner (#13)

  • Line Judge: Kevin Codey (#16)

  • Field Judge: Joe Blubaugh (#57)

  • Side Judge: David Meslow (#118)

  • Back Judge: Greg Yette (#38)

  • Replay Official: Denise Crudup

  • Replay Assistant: Brian Smith

  • The decision follows mounting scrutiny over multiple missed and overturned calls that directly influenced the outcome of the game.

    The most heated moment came early in the first quarter, when an offensive pass interference flag against Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was initially thrown but then picked up after a discussion prompted by Patrick Mahomes’ on-field plea. The play allowed Kansas City to score their opening touchdown, taking a 7–0 lead. Broadcast replays showed clear blocking downfield beyond the allowable buffer, fueling accusations that the officials caved to star-player pressure.

    Later in the fourth quarter, in what fans called “the robbery of the season,” a glaring defensive pass interference by Chiefs safety Jaden Hicks on Jaguars receiver Parker Washington went uncalled just before Trent McDuffie’s interception. The no-call handed Kansas City prime field position to extend the game, with ESPN announcer Joe Buck openly criticizing the officials for the “obvious miss.”

    The Eagles were denied a final opportunity to score, and Denver escaped with a 27–24 victory. The broadcast replay showed Dallas Goedert’s jersey being visibly grabbed, fueling fury among players, coaches, and fans alike.

    Adding to the chaos was a third-quarter red-zone sequence where overlooked holding penalties on Chiefs linemen and a potential roughing-the-passer infraction on Mahomes paved the way for Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd’s 99-yard pick-six. Analysts decried it as “one of the worst missed calls you’ll ever see,” flipping momentum decisively toward Jacksonville.

    The Jaguars held on for a 31–28 victory as the Chiefs failed to respond in the final seconds. Social media erupted within minutes. The phrase “Chiefs got robbed” trended at #1 on X (formerly Twitter), with over 2 million posts in 24 hours. Several analysts, including former referee Gene Steratore, called for an official review of the officiating crew’s conduct.

    One viral post summarized the fan sentiment:
    “If this isn’t rigging, what is? The refs changed the outcome of the game — plain and simple.”

    NFL Senior VP of Officiating Walt Anderson confirmed in a brief statement that the league found “a series of critical officiating errors that failed to meet professional standards.”

    The suspension is immediate and indefinite pending further investigation — marking one of the rare occasions in modern NFL history where an entire officiating crew has been disciplined following a single game.

    For Chiefs fans, the suspension offers little comfort. The damage, as many see it, has already been done — a win stolen, a legacy questioned, and the integrity of the league once again under fire.

    Cowboys Reunite with a Former Starter, Bolstering a Battle-Tested Defense for the Stretch Run
    Dallas, TX – In a surprising yet strategic move, the Dallas Cowboys have officially signed linebacker Luke Gifford on the afternoon of October 8, 2025, just hours after the San Francisco 49ers decided to cut the veteran. The one-year, $3.5 million deal (with performance bonuses up to $1.5 million) marks an emotional homecoming for Gifford to the franchise that launched his career, while also plugging an urgent hole in Dallas’ linebacker depth after multiple injuries out of Week 5.   Gifford, 29, was a reliable glue piece for the Cowboys from 2019 to 2022—an undrafted gem who carved out his role on special teams and situational defense in the star and stripes. After leaving Dallas, he spent time with the Tennessee Titans (2023) and 49ers (2024–2025), earning a reputation as a smart, assignment-sound linebacker who can play WILL/SAM and contribute immediately on kick coverage and sub-packages.   With San Francisco this year, Gifford appeared in four games before Tuesday night’s roster shuffle left him as the odd man out. Dallas pounced. “Luke knows our standard and our language,” head coach Mike McCarthy said after practice. “He’s tough, dependable, and versatile. Given where our linebacker room is right now, he’s exactly the kind of veteran who can stabilize us fast.”   For the Cowboys—leading the NFC East at 4–1 but juggling availability at linebacker—this is timely triage and culture reinforcement. Defensive coaches value Gifford’s communication and angles in space; special teams coordinator notes he can step in on all four core units immediately. Gifford, moments after signing, posted on X: “Back where it started. Let’s work. #HowBoutThemCowboys #DC4L”   Cowboys Nation erupted online as #GiffordReturns trended across the Metroplex, with many fans framing it as a subtle flex against the 49ers—Dallas’ recent playoff nemesis. NFL Network panels speculated Gifford could suit up as early as this weekend if paperwork clears, logging early snaps on special teams and dime looks while the staff ramps him into the defensive packages.   Beyond the depth chart math, the message is clear: Dallas is moving decisively to protect its defensive identity and keep the NFC East lead. If Gifford brings the same reliability and edge-setting discipline he showed in his first stint, the Cowboys may have found the steadying piece they needed for a stretch run.   Can Luke Gifford’s homecoming spark a sturdier second level and help Dallas tighten the screws in crunch time? We’ll know soon enough. #CowboysNation #DallasCowboys #HowBoutThemCowboys