NFL Officiating Observatory
CREW CHIEF PROFILE
Craig Wrolstad: NFL referee penalty stats (2026)
Craig Wrolstad is an NFL referee (crew chief). In 2026, games his crew has worked average 18.0 accepted penalties over 6 games, 23% above the league's 14.7. Across 2015–25 his crew averaged 12.3 per game (172 games), a few but costly style: fewer flags, bigger yardage per call.
Calling style
Career (2015–25): Few but costly, fewer flags, bigger yardage per call. 2026 so far: Game-changers.
- Calls fewer illegal block above the waist: 18% below the league rate
Calls most like: John Hussey, Clay Martin.
Penalty types vs the league (2015–25, season-adjusted, per game)
| Penalty | Per game | vs league rate |
|---|---|---|
| Illegal Block Above the Waist | 0.32 | -18% |
| Neutral Zone Infraction | 0.49 | +8% |
| Roughing the Passer | 0.38 | -7% |
| Unnecessary Roughness | 0.64 | -5% |
| Offensive Holding | 2.57 | +4% |
| Defensive Pass Interference | 1.06 | +3% |
| Defensive Holding | 0.74 | -3% |
| Delay of Game | 0.53 | -3% |
| False Start | 2.23 | +1% |
| Defensive Offside | 0.58 | +1% |
Season by season
| Season | Games | Flags / game |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 16 | 14.4 |
| 2016 | 16 | 11.5 |
| 2017 | 15 | 12.5 |
| 2018 | 15 | 13.0 |
| 2019 | 15 | 15.2 |
| 2020 | 16 | 11.3 |
| 2021 | 17 | 11.3 |
| 2022 | 17 | 9.4 |
| 2023 | 17 | 9.9 |
| 2024 | 17 | 14.8 |
| 2025 | 18 | 11.6 |
| 2026 | 6 | 18.0 |
Recent games
| Date | Game | Score | Flags | By team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-25 | DEN @ ARI | 30–16 | 20 | DEN 11 · ARI 9 |
| 2026-10-18 | DAL @ GB | 13–23 | 22 | DAL 11 · GB 11 |
| 2026-10-11 | LV @ NE | 17–45 | 20 | LV 8 · NE 12 |
| 2026-10-04 | LA @ PHI | 24–20 | 18 | LA 8 · PHI 10 |
| 2026-09-20 | IND @ KC | 30–33 | 13 | IND 5 · KC 8 |
| 2026-09-13 | CLE @ JAX | 10–34 | 15 | CLE 11 · JAX 4 |
| 2026-01-12 | HOU @ PIT | 30–6 | 9 | HOU 6 · PIT 3 |
| 2026-01-04 | KC @ LV | 12–14 | 9 | KC 7 · LV 2 |
| 2025-12-27 | HOU @ LAC | 20–16 | 11 | HOU 8 · LAC 3 |
| 2025-12-20 | PHI @ WAS | 29–18 | 10 | PHI 5 · WAS 5 |
Questions
How many penalties does Craig Wrolstad call per game?
In 2026 through Week 7, games Craig Wrolstad's crew worked averaged 18.0 accepted penalties and 161.2 penalty yards per game (6 games). His 2015–25 average was 12.3; the 2026 league average is 14.7.
What penalties does Craig Wrolstad call most?
Per game, 2015–25: offensive holding (2.57), false start (2.23), defensive pass interference (1.06). Compared with other crews: Calls fewer illegal block above the waist: 18% below the league rate.
Does Craig Wrolstad call more penalties on the home team?
In 2015–25, 48% of the flags in his games were on the home team (league: 49%). Small differences like this are normal and are not evidence of bias.
Statistics reflect the crew chief's assignment; crews change around the chief each year. Patterns, not motives.