The NFL has been cracking down on player conduct with fines, and the latest to be penalized is Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs. He was fined a hefty $45,020 for what appeared to be a routine football play.
The NFL fined #Packers RB Josh Jacobs a whopping $45,020 for unnecessary roughness/use of helmet last week.
No flag was thrown. Here’s the play: pic.twitter.com/SlQ5CDOq5q
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 28, 2024
While he did lower his head, no flag was thrown during the game. The fine is significant, and it raises the question of whether it’s fair to penalize a player so heavily when no infraction was called on the field.
The NFL’s focus on player safety is understandable, as plays like these can pose risks to everyone involved. However, the decision to fine Jacobs this much, despite no flag being thrown, feels questionable.
Each Saturday, the league issues fines for plays from the previous week’s games. In this case, the play occurred during the Packers’ 30-14 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Nashville.
Jacobs, who signed a four-year, $48 million deal with $12.5 million guaranteed this offseason, can absorb the financial hit. Still, the ongoing practice of fining players for routine actions on the field is worth further scrutiny.
