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Saquon Barkley fined for most ridiculous reason that will infuriate Eagles fans

Originally posted on Inside the Iggles
By Anthony Miller | Last updated Sep 20, 2025 4:31 PM ET

Well, for the second time during the regular season, the Philadelphia Eagles will have a player that has to cut a check to the NFL in way of a fine.

NFL reporter Tom Pelissero reported Eagles starting running back Saquon Barkley will have to pay a fine of $46,371 for unnecessary roughness/use of the helmet on a play during the Eagles' 20-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs . The play occurred when Jalen Hurts hit Barkley on a swing route, and he lowered his shoulder on Chiefs defender Chamarri Conner, but made helmet-to-helmet contact. It should be noted that no flag was thrown on the play.

The NFL fined #Eagles RB Saquon Barkley $46,371 for unnecessary roughness/use of the helmet on this play last week. No flag was thrown. pic.twitter.com/KlDwUEIIuv
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 20, 2025

The NFL has been placing a strong emphasis on reducing helmet-to-helmet contact in the game to protect players from further head injuries. This includes running backs using their head to hit a defender trying to tackle them.

Barkley is being unfairly fined on the play

There's one thing to lead with the helmet on a play. If that is the case, then yes, a player should absolutely be fined for it.

Barkley didn't do that. He clearly was lowering his shoulder to truck Conner. This was more of a case of accidental helmet-to-helmet contact.

It's the second time this season an Eagles player was fined in a game, with Jalen Carter being the first for his ejection for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. That punishment made sense, but Barkley's doesn't.

Barkley finished the game with 88 rushing yards and one touchdown. He added two receptions for six yards in the win.

While protecting players from unnecessary hits to the head should be the NFL's priority, that kind of thing is going to happen. This was not a malicious hit by Barkley and doesn't justify the punishment. Eagles fans will have to see if Barkley will fight the fine.

This article first appeared on Inside the Iggles and was syndicated with permission.

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