Bengals Star Awaiting NFL Punishment Decision Over Bears Incident

Brown is currently in his third season with the Bengals. He joined the team as a free agent in 2023, shortly after winning a Super Bowl ring with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. The former Oklahoma Sooners star put pen to paper on a four-year deal with Cincinnati worth a whopping $64.09 million.

Brown has started all nine games for the Bengals this season. He’s one of the most important players on the team’s offensive line, providing high-level coverage for the QB.

Brown, however, let his emotions get the better of him on Sunday. At one point in the second quarter, the veteran OT got tangled up with Bears defensive end Montez Sweat after an incomplete play. Brown was seen holding Sweat down forcefully, which prompted an unsportsmanlike conduct call on the Cincinnati star.

According to the NFL rulebook, unsportsmanlike conduct is defined as “any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship.” It comes with an automatic 15-yard penalty.

The Bengals lost 15 yards on that play. From Chicago’s six-yard line, they went all the way back to the 21 on second down. The drive ultimately ended with a 33-yard field goal for the Bengals. They scored three points instead of the potential seven points they would have had if they had scored a touchdown. Cincinnati lost by five points.

Brown will now await a punishment decision from the NFL. The league automatically reviews unsportsmanlike conduct for a potential fine. The Bengals OT could face a fine of $14,491 for a first offense. A second offense will incur a cost of $20,288. Brown’s fate will be determined once the NFL announces its weekly gameday accountability update on Saturday.   

The Bengals are on their bye in Week 10. Their next game is on Sunday, Nov. 16, against the Pittsburgh Steelers. That will be a road matchup for Cincinnati, with kickoff from Acrisure Stadium scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET.