Drew Brees Reacts To Cam Skattebo’s Unnecessary Roughness Penalty Against Houston Texans

Drew Brees sounds off on the Cam Skattebo flag© Image via: X/@NFL

One shove of the shoulder, one yellow flag, and a whole league is arguing. New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo barreled into Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart on Sunday, October 25, and the officials called him for unnecessary roughness. The play wiped out a gain of seven to eight yards and cost New York 15. Former quarterback Drew Brees, ex-fullback Jacob Hester and Giants head coach John Harbaugh all pushed back. Skattebo himself made it clear he will not change how he runs. The debate now sits at the center of the NFL's helmet rules.

Cam Skattebo Unnecessary Roughness Call Draws Backlash From Drew Brees

The play came with 5:17 left in the first quarter. Skattebo hit the gap, dropped his pad level and met Stewart head on. The officials ruled he led with his helmet.

Most calls like this protect defenseless players or punish defenders who spear a runner. Here, the ball carrier took the penalty. That reversal is what stunned so many people.

Brees posted a clip on his Instagram story and wrote, "In between the tackle, are you kidding me?! Textbook tough physical run!"

Cam Skattebo just got an unnecessary roughness penalty for running somebody over. I'M CRYING  https://t.co/1otO6w2GJn

— Hater Report (@HaterReport) October 25, 2026

Hester, a former San Diego Chargers fullback, joined in on social media. "Cam Skattebo getting called for unnecessary roughness as the BALL CARRIER is wild. You've got 11 dudes coming downhill with bad intentions trying to put you on the ground. But when you truck somebody in the hole, it's a penalty? Nah, that ain't it."

Harbaugh also took his case straight to the referees.

Cam Skattebo Fine Worries Mount For The New York Giants

After the game, Skattebo did not hide his anger. He first declined to say what he told the official. Then he spoke about the league itself.

"But I will say, man, the NFL loves to post [about] me when I do stuff like that — but then also wants to take stuff from me. I'm going to run the ball like I want to run the ball. And if I'm going to continue to get flagged for it or fined for it, man, I guess I'm going to play for free. I'm going to do what I can to be on this team, to give everything I've got. And if they're going to punish me for that, then I'm just going to keep doing it and keep playing hard."

He knows the cost. The league fined him $7,073 on October 2 for an impermissible helmet use during the Giants' Week 3 win over the Tennessee Titans. Another fine may follow.

The numbers add to the frustration. According to NFLPenalties.com, only Brady Russell of the Seattle Seahawks and LeQuint Allen Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars drew this penalty at running back before Skattebo this season. It rarely happens, which makes this call stand out.

Skattebo now has to protect his punishing style while watching where his helmet goes.