The NFL has hit Steelers OLB T.J. Watt with multiple fines from the team’s win against the Baltimore Ravens. His most costly fine of the week is $13,659, for when Watt took off his helmet to celebrate the game-winning sack of Lamar Jackson. Watt is not the only player fined for taking their helmet off this week, as Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed was fined the same amount for taking his helmet off against the Detroit Lions.
However, Sneed was not called for a penalty on the field like Watt. Still, that is something that the NFL is cracking down on this year in their fines, which is why Watt and Sneed both received hefty fines. Watt’s penalty occurred after the play, so it did not result in a first down for the Ravens.
The second fine is from the play where Watt appears to punch Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers. Watt was fined $11,473 for that play. On the play, Watt is playing in zone coverage, and Lamar Jackson throws the ball to Flowers between Watt, Patrick Peterson, and Cole Holcomb. Flowers bobbles the ball, Watt punches to knock the ball out, and he is successful. However, the NFL deemed that to be unnecessary roughness and fined Watt. That play was not called a penalty for unnecessary roughness on the field.
Watt is the only player from either team who was fined. However, it continues a trend where the Steelers have been heavily fined this season. Linebacker Kwon Alexander is the player who has often been fined throughout the season. In 2022, Pittsburgh led the NFL as the most fined team. They are among the top in the league in that metric yet again, with plenty of fines each week for the team. Watt is just the latest to be hit with that hammer.