NFL Facing Punishment Decision After Ejection in Chiefs Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Dec 14, 2025 4:17 PM ET

A lot is on the line for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday as these two teams fight for their spot in the playoffs. The 6-7 Chiefs are in a much more precarious situation. Sunday is a must-win for them, as a loss could eliminate them from postseason contention. The Chargers, on the other hand, entered this game at 9-4 and will need to continue stacking wins in their remaining four contests to guarantee a spot in the playoffs.

There was no shortage of action in this high-stakes game. So much so that Chargers safety Tony Jefferson was ejected in the fourth quarter for an illegal hit on Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton. The hit sparked a heated moment involving players from both teams, and the NFL will now investigate the incident for potential punishment.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (2) against the Arizona Cardinals.Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Chiefs headed into Sunday’s crucial matchup behind back-to-back losses. They lost to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day, 31-28, followed by a defeat against the Houston Texans in Week 14, 20-10. Those two losses placed Kansas City’s postseason hopes in the balance. Patrick Mahomes and Co. now need to win all four of their remaining games to have a chance to make the playoffs, and this includes Sunday’s contest against L.A.

The intensity of the Week 15 showdown boiled over early in the fourth quarter. Players on both teams had to be separated after Jefferson delivered a massive hit on Thornton. Travis Kelce, among others, was seen confronting the Chargers safety as Thornton remained on the ground after the tackle.

Thornton had to be attended to by the Chiefs medical staff after the incident. The fourth-year wideout caught a pass from Mahomes but was immediately taken down by Jefferson moments after the reception. The referees flagged Jefferson for unnecessary roughness on the play, and, upon further review, decided that his actions warranted an automatic ejection.

Chargers safety Tony Jefferson ejected for this hit and likely facing a fine as well. pic.twitter.com/xbh2dManR2
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 14, 2025

The NFL will now investigate this incident and decide whether Jefferson will be fined for his personal foul on Thornton. According to the NFL rulebook, the impermissible use of the helmet can result in a fine of $23,186 for a first offense and $46,371 for a second.

For context, Jefferson has already been fined for a similar violation last season. He was hit with a $6,722 fine for impermissible use of the helmet in a game against the Denver Broncos.

Jefferson will now need to wait for the league’s decision on his case, which will likely be announced in the gameday accountability report, along with all the fines from Week 15.

Unfortunately for the Chiefs, they suffered defeat on Sunday, 16-13. Kansas City quarterback Gardner Minshew, who came into the game for the injured Patrick Mahomes, was picked off late in the fourth quarter, resulting ina game-ending and potentially season-ending turnover for the CHiefs.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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