Jets vs Saints had a player-safety moment in the Saints game that will get attention beyond the final score, as New York Jets guard John Simpson was flagged for an illegal chop block in Sunday’s Saints game.
In Saints vs Jets matchups, the league often reviews anything involving low blocks because of the injury risk, and chop blocks are on the NFL’s fine schedule. A a chop-block penalty on New York Jets guard John Simpson is the kind of “dirty-play” flag the NFL office often reviews after the final whistle.
Simpson was flagged for a chop block during Jets vs Saints action with 4:38 left in the first quarter, a 15-yard illegal-block penalty designed to curb a high-risk, knee-threatening technique.
And while not every flagged play becomes a postgame discipline issue, the NFL’s fine schedule explicitly lists “Chop Block” as a finable offense, with a first-offense amount of $12,172 and higher for repeat offenses.
Why the Jets vs Saints chop-block flag could turn into a fine
A chop block is one of the NFL’s “player safety” points of emphasis because it involves a low block on a defender who is already engaged up high, the exact kind of action that can twist knees and ankles.
That’s why the league doesn’t just treat it as “15 yards and move on.” The NFL can also issue a fine after its weekly review process, and the fine schedule lays out baseline amounts for chop blocks.
From the Saints’ perspective, the key thing isn’t just the yardage. It’s the message: New Orleans defenders shouldn’t have to play through blocks that flirt with injury risk, especially in the trenches where bodies pile up fast.
John Simpson’s discipline history adds context for Saints fans
Here’s where this gets more interesting than a typical “flag, shrug, next play” moment.
Simpson has already been on the league’s radar for other safety-related conduct:
- In Week 4 of 2024, Simpson was fined $16,883 for Unnecessary Roughness (leg whip), according to publicly tracked fine reports.
- He also appears on NFL Football Operations’ Gameday Accountability fines page for a $11,593 fine tied to Unnecessary Roughness (Facemask) during Week 7 of the 2025 season.
None of that proves a chop-block fine is coming here — the NFL still reviews each incident independently. But if you’re wondering why Saints fans are side-eyeing the Jets’ line play, that history is part of it.
What it means for the Saints game, and what to watch next
If the NFL does fine Simpson, it would likely show up in the league’s weekly fine announcements. And if it doesn’t, Saints fans can still take something away: officials saw enough on the field to throw the flag, which matters in the “tone” of a Saints vs Jets matchup that can get chippy in the box.
For New Orleans, the practical impact is simple: keep the front healthy. That includes staying upright against the Jets’ run-game looks, and yes, that means eyes on Breece Hall in any Jets vs Saints prediction conversation, because the Jets’ identity often runs through their ground game and play-action off it.
And for fans searching “where to watch New York Jets vs New Orleans Saints”, you can find the game on CBS networks, currently underway.
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