Scott Hanson Discusses NFL Officiating and Penalty Trends
Millions of NFL fans spend Sundays with Scott Hanson, host of the popular “NFL RedZone.” Hanson, known for analyzing key moments in Sunday afternoon games, is highly aware of penalty flags thrown—or missed—during the games.
A recent report by ESPN Insights highlighted that NFL officials called more penalties through Week 4 this season than in any season since 1978. The report also noted that 17 touchdowns have been nullified, compared to five in the same period last season.
In an interview with OutKick, Hanson discussed various topics, including NFL officiating. He mentioned a statement from the NFL claiming that penalties per game are down this year, despite concerns about the number of flags in 2026.
When asked about the ESPN report, Hanson expressed his respect for all professionals involved in the game, stating, “I believe that NFL football is the best officiated of the major four sports.” He emphasized the accuracy of calls being more important than their frequency.
“Of course, there are calls that go the wrong way,” Hanson stated. “This is not due to rule interpretation—it is because the human eye has limits. The game’s speed can surpass our capacity to see everything accurately.”
An argument in a recent OutKick article suggested that the NFL reduces minor penalties in the postseason to avoid slowing down the game. Hanson was skeptical of this premise, questioning if there is truly a difference in officiating during playoffs compared to the regular season.
He explained that playoff games are seen in standalone windows, which magnifies each call and creates a narrative of stricter officiating. Hanson supported the idea of making officials’ grades public to help fans understand their performance levels and selection for high-stakes games.
Later in their conversation, Hanson and the interviewer discussed various topics, showing Hanson’s openness to dialogue. The full interview is available on YouTube.
Scott Hanson is recognized not only for his broadcasting skills but also for his engaging personality. OutKick plans to feature him again in the future.