Chiefs LB Breeland Speaks says he feared roughing the passer penalty on key play

The Kansas City Chiefs linebacker who let Tom Brady go on a key third down play late in the game says he was concerned about incurring a roughing the passer penalty.

The New England Patriots had a 3rd-and-goal at the KC 4 with under six minutes to go trailing 33-30. Breeland Speaks had Tom Brady wrapped up but let him go. Brady ended up rushing for a touchdown to give New England a 37-33 lead.

#Chiefs LB Breeland Speaks appears to let go of #Patriots QB Tom Brady, before the 41-year-old QB decides to tuck it and run for a 4-yard TD pic.twitter.com/JKjeZ7jfxQ

— Kevin Boilard (@247KevinBoilard) October 15, 2018

Speaks looked like he let go of Brady because he thought the quarterback had thrown a pass and wanted to avoid a roughing the passer penalty. He said after the game that that was the case.

#Chiefs LB Breeland Speaks said he believed Tom Brady had already thrown the ball on his TD run and was fearful of the new rules protecting the passer. “it was definitely on my mind. It sucks.” Will he alter his approach going forward? “Yes. I gotta finish the play next time.”

— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) October 15, 2018

There was a defensive holding penalty called on the play that was declined, so even if Speaks got the sack, New England would have had a first down. Still, this is another example of how the new roughing the passer rule is hurting defenders.