NFL’s Week 1 Taunting Fines Spark Controversy: Who Crossed the Line?

You can feel the NFL’s shift this year—the league’s really doubling down on respect and sportsmanship for 2025. After Week 1 wrapped up, they didn’t just whisper it quietly; they roped in five hefty taunting fines to hammer the point home. Players like Lions’ Brian Branch, who took a couple of hits during their Green Bay loss, Packers’ Xavier McKinney, Eagles’ Nolan Smith, along with Lions’ Jameson Williams and Browns’ Jerry Jeudy, all got slapped with fines north of $11,500 each for their on-field antics. Now, interestingly, Williams and Jeudy never even saw a flag during the game—which makes you wonder how officials are catching all this stuff after the fact but missing it live. If it’s visible enough to fine later, shouldn’t the refs be spotting it right then and there? Of course, every player can push back with an appeal, but the league keeps those outcomes under wraps. It’s a fascinating, maybe even fraught dance between enforcement and execution—and one that tells you plenty about where the NFL’s headed. LEARN MORE

The NFL has made sportsmanship and respect for the opponent a point of emphasis for 2025. The NFL made that point following Week 1, in the form of five taunting fines.

Lions defensive back Brian Branch, who (as noted by MDS) picked up a couple of fines during the loss at Green Bay, Packers safety Xavier McKinney, Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith, Lions receiver Jameson Williams, and Brown receiver Jerry Jeudy were fined $11,593 each for taunting.

Williams and Jeudy were not flagged for taunting.

So five tauntings, but only three were called. If it’s obvious enough to be seen after the fact, it’s something the officials should be spotting in real time.

All players have the right to appeal the fines imposed on them. Although the league discloses the fines, it does not release the results of the appeals.