re: If a QB accidentally releases the ball on the forward motion of a pump fake

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The whole point of including “toward the neutral zone” is to define what “forward” means

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Wrong. That is absolutely not why the “toward the neutral zone language” is included. A “forward pass” is defined in 2-19-2-a (literally the bullet point immediately before the one you quoted).

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not to insert a requirement that in order to attempt a forward pass you have to be behind the neutral zone.

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The rule you quoted does not say you have to be behind the neutral zone to attempt a forward pass, and I never suggested that was what it meant.

It says that if you are behind the neutral zone and if you are holding the ball intending to pass it, the forward pass starts with any forward motion of the hand. In other words, that protection against fumble calls (any intentional forward arm movement starting the pass) only applies if you are attempting a legal forward pass. Consequently, it means you don’t have the same protection if you are past the neutral zone.

It is interesting that you used the words “attempt a forward pass,” though. Generally when somebody “attempts” to do something, it’s intentional.

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If that were a requirement, then there could be no illegal forward passes, it would just be fumbles.

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There can be illegal forward passes downfield if the passer intentionally throws the ball. Nothing I have said contradicts that.