It’s Saturday, which means it’s time for the NFL’s weekly distribution of fines followed by endless head scratching over how they make these decisions. This week it was Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley getting his wallet cracked open.
According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Barkley has been fined $46,371 for “unnecessary roughness/use of the helmet” for a seemingly benign play that took place against the Kansas City Chiefs. On the play in question, Barkley lowered his head to receive contact from a Chiefs defender.
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“The NFL fined #Eagles RB Saquon Barkley $46,371 for unnecessary roughness/use of the helmet on this play last week. No flag was thrown,” Pelissero wrote.
Dumbfounded
There really isn’t any other good word to describe the reaction to the news other than fans being dumbfounded. NFL analysts quickly pointed out that Barkley was clearly lowering his shoulder to brace for contact as normal.
“$46K? He’s trying to drop a shoulder into him,” Ross Tucker remarked on X.
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“That’s unbelievable. Players need to get this addressed during collective bargaining. This is theft,” another fan declared.
“Even when the game is over, and the Chiefs lost, the league still finds a way to penalize the other team…” a third mocked.
“Wow that’s crazy he’s lowering the shoulder. Is he just supposed to let himself be tackled? lol”
“So he was fined for playing football? Got it.”
“The NFL should be ashamed of themselves.”
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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 24: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after a touchdown during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Silver Lining?
This is hardly the first time that the NFL has issued a fine like this. In 2023 the league fined New York Jets running back Breece Hall a nearly identical amount for a nearly identical play in a game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Hall may not be a superstar on the same level of Barkley, but the situation was just as outrageous then as now.
Fortunately, Hall was able to get enough support on his appeal of the fine to have it overturned.
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One would think that Barkley would be similarly successful if he attempts to get the fine overturned.
Did that play deserve a fine?
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Sep 20, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.