The referee controversy surrounding the Detroit Lions’ loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers isn’t fading anytime soon — especially after Rex Ryan reignited the debate with a blunt assessment on national television.

Appearing Monday morning on ESPN’s Get Up, Ryan delivered a fiery breakdown of the two offensive pass interference (OPI) calls that erased late Lions touchdowns. While he acknowledged officials may have gotten the final call right, Ryan had no patience for the earlier OPI penalty on rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa.

And he didn’t hold back.

“They got the last one right, but they certainly got the previous one deadass wrong,” Ryan said. “The defensive guy on the St. Brown touchdown — he’s the one who initiated the contact on TeSlaa. This is an awful call. And unfortunately, it cost the Lions a win here, and probably a playoff spot.”

Ryan made the comments while wearing a Lions Christmas sweater, a visual that only fueled fan reactions across social media.

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The OPI Call That Changed the Game

Most of the postgame outrage focused on Amon-Ra St. Brown’s overturned touchdown on the final play, a chaotic moment that sealed Detroit’s loss.

But Ryan pointed to the penalty many fans believe truly altered the outcome: the offensive pass interference call on Isaac TeSlaa earlier in the drive.

That flag wiped out a Lions touchdown before desperation mode set in. Instead of extending their lead, Detroit was forced to continue the drive, setting up the frantic and controversial ending.

TeSlaa, who was having one of the strongest performances of his young NFL career, went from potential hero to unfortunate footnote — all because of a yellow flag.

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Rex Ryan Calls TeSlaa OPI “Atrocious”

Ryan later doubled down on his stance, labeling the TeSlaa penalty “atrocious.” According to Ryan, the defender initiated the contact — a crucial distinction under NFL rules.

Offensive pass interference is designed to penalize receivers who create illegal separation, not those who absorb contact from defensive backs.

Ryan’s argument was straightforward: if that call is not made, the Lions likely never face a do-or-die final play.

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Familiar Frustration for Lions Fans

Rex Ryan is rarely subtle, and critics may question his motives. But this time, his comments resonated because they echoed what Lions fans were already feeling.

Yes, Detroit had opportunities earlier in the game. Execution wasn’t perfect.

But when two touchdowns are erased by highly questionable penalties, the impact is impossible to ignore — especially with playoff implications on the line.

Ryan didn’t just reopen the referee controversy.

He poured gasoline on it.

And with the Detroit Lions’ postseason hopes hanging by a thread, this frustration isn’t going away anytime soon.