After the Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 14 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, the NFL issued several fines to Chiefs players. On December 14, the league announced fines for three players, with the largest being a hefty $45,020 fine for running back Isiah Pacheco.
Pacheco was fined for unnecessary roughness after using his helmet on a play, despite there being no penalty flagged during the game. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero shared the fine details on social media, noting that Pacheco’s fine was likely due to previous infractions this season.
In addition to Pacheco, right guard Trey Smith was also penalized for unnecessary roughness for a similar incident, which occurred in the fourth quarter and cost him $18,881. Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was fined $6,722 for a helmet-related infraction during the second quarter.
Altogether, the Chiefs’ fines from Week 14 totaled $70,623, with no fines being issued to the Chargers players. Chiefs fans quickly voiced their frustration over the fines, especially Pacheco’s substantial penalty, which many felt was excessive. Some pointed out that the fine represented a significant portion of Pacheco’s rookie salary, with one fan commenting that it amounted to nearly 8% of his take-home pay. Others expressed their disbelief that Pacheco was penalized for what they viewed as a routine play.
Despite the outcry, the NFL’s fines continue to stir controversy, as fans and players alike question the league’s decisions. This ongoing tension between fans and the NFL shows no sign of slowing down, as frustrations about fines and penalties remain a hot topic on social media.
As for the Chiefs, they are looking ahead to their Week 15 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, where their ability to create turnovers will be crucial, especially against a turnover-prone Browns offense.
