Following the Cincinnati Bengals’ narrow 24-21 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, a game mired in controversial officiating, Bengals legend and former wide receiver Chad Johnson did not hold back his frustrations. Johnson, known for his fiery personality during his playing days, took to social media to express his outrage over what he called “game-altering” calls that impacted the outcome.
The most controversial moment came late in the fourth quarter when a questionable roughing the passer call against Bengals defensive lineman Trey Hendrickson extended a crucial Chiefs drive. With Kansas City facing a potential punt, the penalty not only gave them a fresh set of downs but also led to the game-winning field goal by Harrison Butker. Johnson immediately voiced his displeasure on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “How are we supposed to beat the Chiefs AND the refs? That was one of the worst calls I’ve seen this season.”
Johnson’s remarks quickly gained traction, with many Bengals fans echoing his sentiment. The roughing the passer penalty wasn’t the only call in question. Earlier in the game, a potential pass interference on Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed went unflagged, despite what appeared to be clear contact with Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase on a deep throw. That non-call could have set up Cincinnati in scoring range during a crucial third-quarter drive.
Johnson continued to criticize the officiating crew, adding, “It’s frustrating to see these types of calls dictate games. Let the players decide it on the field.” His comments reflect a growing frustration among Bengals supporters, who felt that critical moments were heavily influenced by the referees.
The loss drops the Bengals to 7-5, a setback in their quest to secure a playoff spot in the crowded AFC race. For the Chiefs, the victory improves their record to 9-3, strengthening their position atop the AFC standings.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor also addressed the officiating in his post-game press conference, though he was more measured in his response. “There were some calls we didn’t agree with, but at the end of the day, we had opportunities to win the game and didn’t capitalize,” Taylor said.
Despite the loss, Cincinnati remains in playoff contention, though the bitter taste of this defeat will linger, especially with voices like Chad Johnson adding fuel to the controversy.
