Two Steelers Fined for Hits vs Jaguars

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt was fined for a hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in Week 8 and Steelers safety Damontae Kazee was fined twice for unnecessary roughness.

Watt was fined $16,391 for hitting Lawrence on a play in the first quarter of the Steelers’ 20-10 loss to the Jaguars. Watt was not flagged on the play.

Kazee racked up two fines, each $11,806 for two hits that were called by the league unnecessary roughness. Both came on the same drive in the second quarter, and in fact were on back-to-back plays. One was a tackle on Travis Etienne and the other on Calvin Ridley. Kazee intercepted Lawrence on the following play.

The Steelers were the most-fined team in the NFL entering the week. With the NFL season not even halfway over, there have already been almost $3 million in fines dished out this year. Pittsburgh has racked up nearly $350,000 in fines, by far the most in the NFL.

This continues the trend from 2022, as Pittsburgh was the most fined team. Collectively, the Steelers were fined $196,480, according to the study. The big total likely came about because of a defensive celebration in November against the Indianapolis Colts after a James Pierre interception. So, the NFL is getting even happier with the fines, and Pittsburgh has exceeded its mark from a year ago.

NFL player fines go to the Professional Athletes Foundation, which helps support NFL legends in need and youth football initiatives. The league contains an average of $4 million per season in fines, according to NFL publications.

Fined players can choose to appeal their fines if they wish to.