Jean Carniel/Reuters via Imagn Images

NFL Makes Punishment Decision on Travis Kelce Incident

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Oct 11, 2025 5:55 PM ET

Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs, after winning two straight games, couldn't get it done in Week 5, falling 2-3 after a 31-28 loss to Travis Hunter and the Jacksonville Jaguars on "Monday Night Football." Still, Kelce had one of his best performances to begin his 13th season with the Chiefs, bringing in a team-high seven catches from Patrick Mahomes for 61 yards and the team's lone passing touchdown of the day.

With 12:19 remaining in the second quarter, Kansas City had the ball looking to extend its early 7-0 lead. Mahomes connected with wide receiver Hollywood Brown for a 16-yard gain and a first down. During the play , Kelce provided a key block, pushing Jacksonville safety Andrew Wingard in the back and knocking him off balance before colliding with another defender.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce looks on before an NFL game© Denny Medley-Imagn Images

But the officials did not throw a flag for the potential blindside block call, which would have resulted in a 15-yard penalty, and the Chiefs went on to extend their lead after a Mahomes touchdown run. But it wasn't enough to stop Trevor Lawrence from leading the comeback win.

In the NFL, players are typically fined $17,389 for a first blindside block offense, with the penalty increasing to $23,186 for a second. However, the league chose not to fine Kelce for the Week 5 incident, keeping his season total at one. The former Cincinnati Bearcats star was previously fined $14,491 for making “obscene gestures” during the Week 2 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

While Kelce wasn’t fined by the NFL, Chiefs wide receiver Hollywood Brown was, receiving a $12,172 penalty for "striking" a Jaguars defender in Week 5. That brings the total to four Kansas City players fined in 2025 for $42,738. Wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster was fined $7,903 for a “low block” in Week 4 against the Baltimore Ravens, while running back Kareem Hunt was hit with an $8,172 fine for “violent gestures” during the Week 3 win over the New York Giants.

Up next for Kelce and the Chiefs, a matchup with Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions in Week 6's edition of "Sunday Night Football."

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

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