5yards

Illegal contact

Contact downfield while the quarterback still has the ball.

What you see. A defender keeps contacting an eligible receiver more than five yards past the line while the quarterback still has the ball.
Typical result. 5 yards.
Easy mix-up. If the ball is already in the air and a catch chance is taken away, that is pass interference.
On the field. Cornerbacks and receivers. See defense positions and the plays.

The contact is before the throw.

Yardage is from the 2026 NFL distance lists. Hand signals live in the official signals PDF. Independent fan guide, not a league ruling.