Chiefs Facing Punishment Decision After Chargers Incident

Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Chiefs Facing Punishment Decision After Chargers Incident

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Oct 18, 2026 5:41 PM ET

Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs looked to advance to 5-0 on the 2026 NFL season during Week 6, returning to Arrowhead Stadium to host Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers. While the Chiefs have found success this year, it has been the exact opposite start for their 0-5 AFC West rival.

With 13:40 remaining in the second quarter of Sunday’s game, Herbert and the Chargers faced a 2nd-and-6 deep in their own territory. The quarterback attempted to get the ball to tight end Oronde Gadsden II before Chiefs cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace picked it off, returning it to the Los Angeles 32-yard line.

Unfortunately for Reid and the Chiefs offense, Kansas City defensive end Ashton Gillotte was called for roughing the passer after hitting Herbert helmet-to-helmet. This gave the Chargers a free 15 yards and a first down.

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.Denny Medley-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

After the Chargers matchup, Gillotte could see a fine coming his way for roughing the passer against Herbert. The NFL reviews every play from every game for potential fines, and if deemed serious enough, players can be fined up to $17,911 for a first roughing the passer violation, which can increase to up to $23,882 for a second.

Players can also be fined $23,882 for an illegal use of the helmet, and $47,762 for a second. And while no players have been fined by the NFL for roughing the passer so far in 2026, six were fined for an illegal use of the helmet in Week 5 alone, including Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, who was charged the maximum amount for a first offense.

“Chiefs fans are unhappy with the roughing the passer call on this tackle of Justin Herbert,” USA Today’s Arye Pulli wrote on X.

Chiefs fans are unhappy with the roughing the passer call on this tackle of Justin Herbert pic.twitter.com/MTbBXvNOUK
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) October 18, 2026