NFL slams three head coaches with separate $250,000 fines

The NFL has fined Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, and New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn $250,000 each for conduct toward game officials, reports Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.

News of the fines first surfaced during the league’s fall owners’ meetings as officials addressed rising sideline tensions among coaches, players and referees.

The fines are being held in abeyance. That means they remain on hold and can be rescinded if the three coaches avoid further confrontations with officials for the rest of the season. The league appears intent on drawing a clearer line against berating referees while still leaving room for the penalties to disappear with improved behavior.

Specific incidents tied to the fines were not publicly identified. Vrabel, however, drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in Week 4 during New England’s 29-26 win over the Buffalo Bills. He left the coaching box late in the first half to confront an official after a defensive holding call on cornerback Marcus Jones and used profanity.

Vrabel later said he told the official it was a “terrible” call and noted he had used similar language many times before, though he acknowledged he should not have sworn and that he needed to be better in those moments.

Sirianni has long been known for animated exchanges with referees. When asked Thursday about his approach, he said he tries to improve daily as a coach and person, adding that progress is not overnight and that moments of “relapse” still occur.

Glenn has also had visible, heated discussions with crews this season, including an animated exchange during a Jets game against the Browns.