What is the penalty for roughing the passer?

Roughing the passer is considered a serious infraction in football due to the potential for injury to the quarterback, who is a key player on the offense. The penalty for this infraction is specifically designed to protect quarterbacks from excessive or unnecessary hits while they are in a vulnerable position after releasing the ball.

When a defensive player commits this foul, the penalty is set at 15 yards, and it results in an automatic first down for the offense. This is significant as it not only advances the ball 15 yards from the original line of scrimmage but also gives the offensive team another opportunity to maintain their drive, further emphasizing the severity of protecting the quarterback and promoting fair play in the game.

By enforcing this penalty, the rules help ensure player safety and maintain the integrity of the game, encouraging defensive players to be more mindful when targeting the quarterback during passing plays.