Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton may not get to enjoy the victory over the Kansas City Chiefs to the fullest if the NFL has any say.
Payton drew attention for the wrong reasons in Week 12, despite the Broncos defeating the Chiefs with a game-winning field goal. Moreover, it is something that will almost certainly draw a response from the league.
The veteran head coach will now have to wait and see what comes next.
NFL Could Punish Broncos HC Sean Payton
GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on before facing the Houston Texans.
Broncos nickelback Ja’Quan McMillian intercepted Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the third quarter of Sunday’s game. However, during the return, linesman Derick Bowers smashed into Payton because the Broncos head coach was standing on the off-limits white lines.
Typically, teams have “get-back guys” who help them avoid those situations. However, even then, that is before a play and not usually during.
At any rate, Payton received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
The Broncos never felt the sting of that penalty during the game, but only because defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers also drew a penalty on the play. Franklin-Myers was tagged for an illegal blindside block during the return, which cost the Broncos 10 yards.
However, despite the penalty being waived off, Payton can expect to hear from the league when it dishes out its weekly list of fines.
The range of fines varies depending on the type of infraction/contact made.
Sean Payton Facing Potentially Costly Fine
GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on before a game against the New York Giants.
The NFL fined Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad $15,486 for contact with a ref in Week 7, which could be informative for Payton. Washington Commanders defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw was docked $28,555 for his infraction in Week 10. Those were both players, though.
The NFL fined Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur $14,069 for unsportsmanlike conduct in October 2024. That was for coming onto the field while trying to call a timeout.
However, Payton could face an even stiffer penalty if the league connects certain dots.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin received a $100,000 fine during the 2013 season for being on the white lines during a kick return against the Baltimore Ravens. Then, it was Ravens return man Jacoby Jones, not an official, whom Tomlin impeded.
The NFL also considered docking the Steelers’ draft picks in the 2014 cycle over the play. It did not draw a flag during the contest. They ultimately left it at a fine.
Fortunately for the Broncos, Payton did not interfere with an opposing player.
Sean Payton Roasted After Getting Penalized, Taking Big Hit
GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals.
While Payton could be lighter in the pockets for his infraction, the Broncos’ head coach quickly came out on the wrong end of several jokes on social media.
“Ref just laid out Sean Payton,” Pardon My Take posted on X on November 16.
“Sean Payton just got wiped out by the ref on the sideline and got penalized for being too close to the field. Everyone looks to be OK,” Audacy Sports’ Jeff Nowak said in a post on X after the incident.
“There’s a joke in there somewhere. Looks like one of the penalty flags got thrown directly at him.”
Payton will have extra time to heal up with the Broncos on bye in Week 12.
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