PITTSBURGH, PA — October 26, 2025.
The fallout from Sunday night’s clash between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers is far from over. What began as a tense primetime showdown quickly turned into one of the most controversial officiating nights of the NFL season — and it has now drawn the fury of Packers legend Brett Favre.
The Hall of Fame quarterback didn’t mince words when reacting to the officiating crew led by Shawn Hochuli, calling their performance “an absolute disaster” and even suggesting the league should consider suspending the officials after several missed calls that changed the momentum of the game.
“You can’t miss that many obvious calls in a game of this magnitude,” Favre said in a post-game interview. “Players fight their hearts out for 60 minutes, and to see it all turned upside down because of officiating mistakes — it’s unacceptable.”
Questionable Calls Shifted the Game
Coming into Sunday’s matchup, both teams were aware that Hochuli’s crew had already developed a reputation for heavy penalty usage. In fact, they had thrown the fourth-most flags in the league through the first seven weeks. The Steelers, looking to clean up their own penalty issues, expected a tight whistle.
Instead, the opposite happened.
Early in the third quarter, the crew failed to call a clear offsides on the Packers’ defense during a 3rd-and-8 situation. Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers — facing his former team — assumed he had a free play and launched a deep shot to Roman Wilson, only for the pass to fall incomplete.
Despite an on-field discussion among officials, the penalty was never called.
The Steelers were forced to punt, visibly frustrated with what they saw as an obvious miss.
Only moments later, controversy struck again. Packers quarterback Jordan Love heaved a desperate throw under pressure from linebacker Patrick Queen, resulting in a 59-yard completion to tight end Tucker Kraft. However, replays showed Kraft clearly pushing off safety DeShon Elliott with both hands before the catch.
Instead of a penalty on Green Bay, the play stood — and Elliott suffered an injury on the tackle attempt, eventually being ruled out for the rest of the game. The drive cut Pittsburgh’s lead to 16–14, completely changing the momentum.
Link:
They missed a defensive offsides and BAD!!!!!! #Steelers pic.twitter.com/E7MqWOYRLV
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) October 27, 2025
Favre’s Outburst Reflects Fan Frustration
While both teams had their share of mistakes, the repeated officiating errors became the central story. For Favre, the lack of accountability was too much to overlook.
“The refs are supposed to control the chaos, not create it,” Favre continued. “When players lose trust in officials, you lose the integrity of the game. The NFL needs to step in.”
Favre’s comments echoed the frustrations of many fans who took to social media demanding the league review Hochuli’s crew.
Hashtags like #RefGate and #SteelersPackers trended on X (formerly Twitter) within hours after the final whistle.
Even neutral analysts pointed out that at least two missed penalties directly impacted potential scoring drives.
Steelers Stay Composed Despite Chaos
Despite the questionable calls, the Steelers showed resilience. After the overturned fumble call in the fourth quarter — where Hochuli’s crew initially ruled a shovel pass from Rodgers to Jaylen Warren as a fumble — the Steelers managed to regain control.
Chris Boswell later nailed a crucial field goal to extend Pittsburgh’s lead to 19–14, sealing the emotional victory.
Head coach Mike Tomlin refused to take the bait when asked about officiating postgame.
“We control what we can control,” Tomlin said. “There were some tough calls, sure, but our guys responded like pros.”
NFL Expected to Review Officiating Crew
League sources told insiders that the NFL’s Officiating Department is expected to review the film from Sunday’s game as part of its standard process. While disciplinary action against officials is rare, public pressure is mounting after repeated controversies involving Hochuli’s crew this season.
Favre’s outburst has only amplified that scrutiny. Many fans see his words as a rallying cry for greater consistency and accountability from the league.
“These players deserve better,” Favre added. “At this level, every call matters. If we can fine players for mistakes, officials should be held to the same standard.”
A Legacy Voice Demands Change
Brett Favre isn’t just another voice in the crowd — he’s one of the most respected figures in Packers history, a Super Bowl champion, and a symbol of toughness and leadership. When someone of his stature speaks out, the league listens.
Whether the NFL takes action remains to be seen, but one thing is clear:
The Week 8 matchup between the Steelers and Packers will be remembered not only for its physicality — but for reigniting the conversation about officiating accountability in professional football.
