Philadelphia Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley was charged one of the heftier fines for lowering his helmet during a run in Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The NFL announced Saturday that Barkley has been fined $46,371 for unnecessary roughness/use of the helmet for a run during the second quarter.
After catching a short pass from Jalen Hurts, Barkley lowered his head into safety Chamarri Connor’s shoulder pad, gaining extra yards before stepping out of bounds. The play resulted in a six-yard gain, and Barkley was not penalized.
Barkley finished the game with 22 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown and two catches for 6 yards. The Eagles (2-0) defeated the Chiefs (0-2) by a score of 20-17 in a Super Bowl 59 rematch.
Barkley Has a History of Lowering His Helmet
This marks the second consecutive season Barkley has been fined for the same offense. In Week 6 last year against the Browns, he was penalized $45,020 for lowering his head on a play that gained eight yards and drew no in-game penalty.
After shrugging off a tackle attempt by Cleveland’s Ogbo Okoronkwo, now with the Eagles, Barkley lowered his head when meeting Browns defensive tackle Maurice Hurst.
To help prevent neck and head injuries, the NFL has emphasized penalizing and fining ballcarriers who lower their helmets.
Barkley was not happy with the NFL’s decision last season, according to NJ Advance Media.
“Oh, that’s crazy,” he said when asked about the fine. “I’ve got to appeal that.”
Barkley said, as a runner, his options are limited in that situation.
“On that particular play, I spun out of a run and in front of me is a 300-pound defensive lineman,” Barkley said. “It wasn’t even me trying to run over him. It was more bracing myself and getting ready for contact. Do I get fined if he picks me up and slams me on my head and I do the same action? I don’t think so. I was just able to get low and keep moving forward.”
GettyKANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 14: Jalen Hurts #1 and Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrate after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in the game at Arrowhead Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Travis Kelce Also Fined For Obscene Gesture
Star tight end for the Chiefs, Travis Kelce, was also fined for actions during Sunday’s game.
Kelce was fined $14,491 for an obscene gesture — a “huevos” tribute to “Major League” — following a 23-yard catch. He stiff-armed Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean and celebrated by gesturing to his pelvic area. He was not flagged on the play.
The catch was Kelce’s longest of the game, finishing with four receptions for 61 yards. However, a fourth-quarter drop turned into an interception for the Eagles, ending the Chiefs’ hopes for a late comeback.
The NFL has been cracking down on unsportsmanlike conduct this season. After Week 1, Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was fined $57,222 — his weekly salary — for spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott before the opening play. New York Jets edge rusher Will McDonald was also fined $14,491 for a grenade celebration.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the league has issued $222,421 in unsportsmanlike conduct fines in just the first two weeks.
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