NFL Decides Punishment for Patrick Mahomes Incident
The Kansas City Chiefs achieved a convincing victory over the Washington Commanders, improving to a 5-3 record this season. This Monday Night Football matchup concluded with a score of 28-7. The Commanders were without their starting quarterback, Jayden Daniels, and were led by backup Marcus Mariota.
NFL’s Response to the Patrick Mahomes Incident
Late in the game, Kansas City’s star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, faced a controversial situation when Commanders defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton sacked him. This play could have resulted in a challenging second down for the Chiefs. Instead, an unnecessary roughness penalty was called against Newton, granting Kansas City a first down.
Troy Aikman’s Commentary
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and ESPN analyst Troy Aikman commented on the incident, suggesting that Mahomes receives favorable treatment from officials. Aikman noted, “When it comes to quarterbacks, especially this one, they’re going to protect them.”
No Additional Punishment for Newton
Throughout the first eight weeks of the NFL season, the league has imposed additional monetary penalties for players involved in late hit incidents. While five players were fined for such offenses this season, Newton was not among them following his hit on Mahomes.
- Week 1: Connor Heyward (Pittsburgh Steelers) fined for late hit.
- Week 1: James Williams (Tennessee Titans) also fined.
- Week 5: Joshua Farmer (New England Patriots) received a fine.
- Week 6: Zaire Franklin (Indianapolis Colts) and Teair Tart (Los Angeles Chargers) fined.
Despite the scrutiny surrounding Newton’s tackle on Mahomes, the NFL opted against imposing any fines for his actions. However, his teammates, Frankie Luvu and Quan Martin, faced significant financial penalties.
This incident continues to spark discussions about player safety, especially concerning quarterbacks and how they are protected within the game.
