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NFL Has Decision to Make on Patrick Mahomes Incident

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Oct 28, 2025 6:21 AM ET

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs secured their third-straight win in Week 8, moving to 5-3 on the 2025 NFL season after a 28-7 win over Marcus Mariota and the Washington Commanders on "Monday Night Football." Despite throwing two interceptions, Mahomes had a solid night, completing 25-of-34 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns, with another 30 yards on the ground.

With 6:04 remaining and the game already sealed for Kansas City, Mahomes was sacked for an eight-yard loss by Commanders defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton, pushing the Chiefs back to their own eight-yard line. However, after the whistle, Newton continued the play and slung Mahomes to the turf, drawing an unnecessary roughness penalty that awarded Kansas City a free 15 yards and a first down.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick MahomesJay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

With his unnecessary roughness on Mahomes, the NFL has a decision to make on whether Newton will be fined or not. Typically in the NFL, players are fined up to $11,593 for a first roughing the passer offense, which increases to $17,389 upon a second violation.

So far in the 2025 NFL season, five late-hit fines have been issued, totaling $46,357. In Week 1, Steelers tight end Connor Heyward ($6,327) and Titans linebacker James Williams ($5,457) were fined. In Week 5, Patriots defensive tackle Davon Godchaux was penalized $5,591. And in Week 6, Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin ($11,593) and Chargers defensive tackle Teair Tart ($17,389) were each fined.

Commanders flagged for roughing the passer for throwing Mahomes down pic.twitter.com/rMJIo4yn4N
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) October 28, 2025

Newton wasn’t the only Commanders player flagged for unnecessary roughness. With 14:09 remaining in the third quarter, safety Quan Martin was penalized for an illegal hit on Chiefs tight end Noah Gray.

Up next for Mahomes and the Chiefs, an AFC Championship rematch with Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in Week 9.

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

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