Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

49ers Pro Bowler Javon Hargrave makes his feelings about NFL rule change clear without saying anything

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Nicholas McGee | Last updated 3/25/24

The response to the NFL's decision to ban the hip drop tackle from defenders has been a predictable one.

A hugely contentious rule change, which was confirmed at the league owners' meetings on Monday, quickly received widespread criticism from defenders whose jobs just got a lot harder.

San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave was among those to react to the announcement.

The Pro Bowler didn't need to say much, or indeed anything it all, to indicate his disapproval.

https://t.co/4fsbx0WKR9
— Javon Hargrave (@Jay_MostWanted) March 25, 2024

Indeed, Hargrave's response was simply that of an upside-down smiley face, a not so subtle hint at his annoyance at the implementation of a ban that will make things easier for offenses.

And competition committee chair Rich McKay's comments on the rule change do not exactly inspire confidence it will be called correctly.

“This will be a hard one to call on the field, you have to see every element of it," said McKay. "We want to make it a rule so we can deal on the discipline during the week.”

So you can expect to see more flags, with defenders having another thing to think about while trying to perform the extremely difficult task of stopping some of the best athletes on the planet. It's no wonder then, that Hargrave and his defensive colleagues around the league are irritated.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: