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Green Bay Packers officiating complaints took center stage after Green Bay’s 17-14 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. While Packers coach Matt LaFleur chose his words carefully, several players openly criticized the officiating, particularly two roughing-the-passer penalties and a disputed unnecessary roughness call.
The defeat left Green Bay with a 4-3 record and added frustration to a game the Packers believed they could have won. All-Pro safety Xavier McKinney was especially direct, saying he was unhappy with the referees and arguing that penalties had repeatedly damaged the team’s momentum.
Green Bay Packers Officiating Complaints Grow After Costly Calls
McKinney did not hold back when discussing the officials after the game. He said the Packers had been flagged for eight roughing-the-passer penalties during the first seven games of the season, a number he viewed as excessive and damaging.
“I’m not a big fan of the refs right now,” McKinney said, according to ESPN. “I don’t think it’s great officiating.” He added that the penalties were affecting critical drives and making it harder for Green Bay’s defense to maintain momentum.
McKinney also said he was willing to accept a possible NFL fine if speaking out helped his teammates. His comments reflected the frustration in the Packers’ locker room, although not every player believed the officiating was the sole reason for the loss.
Controversial Call Changes the Game
The most debated moment occurred in the third quarter after Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown caught a short pass from Jared Goff. St. Brown appeared to go down after a four-yard gain, then got back up and continued running.
Packers defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt tackled St. Brown again. At nearly the same moment, St. Brown made contact with umpire Terry Killens Jr., knocking him down. Referee Alex Moore ruled that the play was already over and penalized Wyatt for unnecessary roughness.
LaFleur strongly questioned the decision because he said no whistle had been heard. Wyatt also maintained that he never heard a whistle and believed he had to complete the tackle in case St. Brown continued toward the end zone.
“What if he would’ve got up and ran for a touchdown?” Wyatt said. “Then everybody would be looking at D-Wy like, ‘You let him go.’”
The call gave Detroit a fresh set of downs at Green Bay’s 11-yard line. Two plays later, Goff connected with Jameson Williams for a 10-yard touchdown, giving the Lions a 17-14 lead.
Roughing Penalties Add to Packers Frustration
Green Bay also objected to roughing-the-passer penalties against Brenton Cox Jr. and Karl Brooks. Cox said he was unsure what he could have done differently on his penalty, while Brooks declined to discuss his call after the game.
In a pool report, Moore said officials ruled the play involving St. Brown was over before Wyatt made additional contact. However, Moore also acknowledged that he could not honestly say whether a whistle had been audible.
That explanation did little to calm the Packers. Cornerback Keisean Nixon called the decision a “terrible call,” while McKinney said the team’s players and fans could clearly see the impact of the penalties.
Packers Had Other Chances to Win
Despite the officiating controversy, Green Bay’s players acknowledged that the team had opportunities to take control. The Packers went just 1-for-3 in the red zone, leaving points on the field throughout the afternoon.
Rookie kicker Trey Smack also missed two short field-goal attempts. A 26-yard kick went wide right in the first quarter, while a 35-yard attempt late in the game was partially blocked. The second miss would have given Green Bay a 20-17 lead with 3:21 remaining.
Tight end Tucker Kraft offered perhaps the most balanced assessment of the loss. He said the officials did not lose the game for the Packers and emphasized that the team had failed to finish when it mattered most.
Still, the Green Bay Packers officiating complaints are likely to remain a major talking point during the week. The team now faces pressure to correct its red-zone execution, protect its defense from costly penalties and respond quickly in the standings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the Packers upset with the officiating?
Green Bay disputed two roughing-the-passer penalties and an unnecessary roughness call involving Devonte Wyatt and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Players argued that the penalties affected important drives.
What did Xavier McKinney say about the referees?
McKinney strongly criticized the officiating and said penalties were hurting the Packers’ momentum. He also stated that he would accept a possible fine for defending his team.
What happened on the controversial play involving Devonte Wyatt?
Wyatt tackled St. Brown after the Lions receiver appeared to get up and continue running. Officials ruled the play dead and penalized Wyatt for additional contact, though Wyatt said he never heard a whistle.
Did officiating directly cost Green Bay the game?
Packers players acknowledged that the calls were costly, but Tucker Kraft said missed opportunities, including red-zone failures and missed field goals, also played a major role.
