Not many NFL fans are big fans of the referees, regardless of what happens during a particular season, but it's interesting when a player has something to say about it.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen was not shy about expressing his feelings about referees when he spoke with KFXN-FM radio on Friday.
Thielen believes the NFL needs to make the move from part-time to full-time referees.
“They love the fact that they get to go out there and shake hands with [Patrick] Mahomes, hang out with professional athletes. Then they go to their real job on Monday-Friday and tell everybody how cool their side job is.”
Minnesota Vikings WR Adam Thielen blasts the NFL and their referees with brutal honesty
Most NFL officials currently work part-time for the NFL, with most having day jobs, such as being lawyers or in related fields.
That has brought up the conversation that the league needs to make them full-time, since they can't be 100 percent experts on all things related to the rules. Many believe that making them full-time will mitigate mistakes made on the field with specific calls.
Thielen might be a little more biased on that front since the Vikings have not had the greatest experience with NFL officials this season. That's because Minnesota is tied for fourth in the NFL in penalties, with 75 through nine games. They have lost 591 yards in the process due to penalties.
In his triumphant return to the Vikings this year, Thielen has not been able to capture the same magic Minnesota has been accustomed to seeing. He has caught just seven passes for 63 yards in seven games, with two games missed this season.
There is some truth to Thielen's assertion that referees need to be full-time and receive more training in the offseason to reduce the constant mistakes made on the field. While he was being a bit colorful with calling referees "fanboys," the product on the field would benefit from better-trained officials.
Minnesota hopes to be on the right side of calls from officials in their Week 11 showdown with the Chicago Bears, as they try to save their season from getting out of hand.