Last season, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton took numerous helmet to helmet hits both inside and outside the pocket. Beginning with the season opening game in Denver, Newton was the subject of multiple blatant head shots that went unflagged.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network the rule’s implementation was anticipated by the NFL competition committee.
The NFL rule on automatic ejections for egregious hits to the head was approved. Sounds like the competition committee expected this
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 28, 2017
Regardless, referees must make the correct call or allow these type of hits to be reviewable to ensure a correct determination of the rule.