{"id":5429,"date":"2025-11-01T22:09:20","date_gmt":"2025-11-01T22:09:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/?p=5429"},"modified":"2025-11-01T22:09:22","modified_gmt":"2025-11-01T22:09:22","slug":"nfls-surprising-call-on-patrick-mahomes-late-hit-controversy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/nfls-surprising-call-on-patrick-mahomes-late-hit-controversy\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL\u2019s Surprising Call on Patrick Mahomes Late-Hit Controversy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mahomes and the Chiefs Claim Week 8 Victory<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs secured their third straight win in Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season, improving to <strong>5-3<\/strong> after defeating the Washington Commanders <strong>28-7<\/strong>. In the game, Mahomes completed <strong>25 of 34 passes for 299 yards<\/strong>, recording <strong>three touchdowns and two interceptions<\/strong>, and added <strong>30 rushing yards<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With 6:04 remaining in the fourth quarter and the win assured, Commanders defensive tackle Jer\u2019Zhan Newton brought down Mahomes for a sack, backing the Chiefs eight yards. After the whistle, Newton continued playing and tossed Mahomes to the turf, drawing an unnecessary roughness penalty (15 yards and renewed first down) for Kansas City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Commanders flagged for roughing the passer for throwing Mahomes down <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/rMJIo4yn4N\" target=\"_blank\">pic.twitter.com\/rMJIo4yn4N<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Rate_the_Refs\/status\/1983003303601680771?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">October 28, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The NFL\u2019s Discipline Decision \u2014 No Fine for Newton<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Typically, in the NFL, a first-offence \u201clate hit\u201d violation can draw a fine of <strong>$11,593<\/strong>, and a second offence can rise to <strong>$17,389<\/strong>. However, despite Newton\u2019s flag for unnecessary roughness after the whistle, the league <strong>elected not to fine<\/strong> him for the hit on Mahomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, two other Washington players <em>were<\/em> fined: safety Quan Martin was fined <strong>$11,572<\/strong> for a hit on a defenseless player; linebacker Frankie Luvu was fined <strong>$46,372<\/strong> for a hip-drop tackle. Through the first eight weeks of the 2025 season, players have been fined a total of <strong>$46,357<\/strong> for late hits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Broader Context: NFL Fines &amp; Accountability<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The league\u2019s accountability framework outlines fines by category: for example, a late hit first offence is $11,593, and second offence $17,389. This decision not to fine Newton raises questions about consistency in enforcement. Former quarterback Troy Aikman, working as a commentator, suggested the league tends to \u201cprotect\u201d star quarterbacks \u2014 especially in high-profile games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why the Decision Matters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Star profile &amp; optics:<\/strong> Mahomes is one of the most visible players in the NFL; how the league handles plays involving him can affect perceptions of fairness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>QBs and late hits:<\/strong> The play against Mahomes occurred after the whistle, highlighting concerns around quarterback safety and late-game hits.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Precedent &amp; discipline culture:<\/strong> When one player goes un-fined in a situation many believe merits discipline, it can lead to questions about selective enforcement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Team momentum:<\/strong> The penalty extended Kansas City\u2019s drive in a blow-out win, arguably influencing the game\u2019s flow and spotlighting the situation further.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fan Reaction &amp; Social Media Pulse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p><strong>@Rate_the_Refs<\/strong>: \u201cCommanders flagged for roughing the passer for throwing Mahomes down.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Rate_the_Refs\/status\/1983003303601680771?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">X (formerly Twitter)<\/a><br>The post reflects a widely-shared view among fans that the hit was unnecessary and the lack of fine surprising.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What\u2019s Next for the Chiefs and Mahomes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The win gives the Chiefs momentum heading into Week 9, where they are set to face the Buffalo Bills and quarterback Josh Allen on Sunday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Mahomes, maintaining performance and staying healthy are paramount \u2014 and avoiding controversial hits or situations that could draw extra attention will be key.<br>For the NFL, how the discipline system responds to similar incidents going forward will be watched closely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Word<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The NFL\u2019s decision <strong>not to fine<\/strong> Jer\u2019Zhan Newton for a late hit on Patrick Mahomes while flagging the penalty on the field highlights complex dynamics of discipline, star treatment, and quarterback protection. As the Chiefs push toward the playoffs and the league navigates fairness in enforcement, this incident serves as a flashpoint in discussions around accountability in the NFL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Also Read<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/lamar-jackson-shines-in-comeback-win-vs-dolphins\/\">Lamar Jackson Shines in Comeback Win vs. Dolphins<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/nfl-announces-major-news-on-giants-qb-jaxson-dart\/\">NFL Announces Major News on Giants QB Jaxson Dart<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/a-major-twist-in-the-pittsburgh-steelers-quarterback-future-staying-the-course-with-aaron-rodgers\/\">A Major Twist in the Pittsburgh Steelers\u2019 Quarterback Future: Staying the Course with Aaron\u202fRodgers?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/why-is-the-nfl-punishing-chiefs-qb-patrick-mahomes-and-what-final-decision-nfl-makes-on-him\/\">Why is the NFL punishing Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and What final decision NFL Makes on him?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/jason-kelce-sets-the-record-straight-amid-fake-quote-storm\/\">Jason Kelce Sets the Record Straight Amid Fake Quote Storm<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/a-major-twist-in-the-pittsburgh-steelers-quarterback-future-staying-the-course-with-aaron-rodgers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>he NFL has chosen not to fine Patrick Mahomes after a late hit during the Kansas City Chiefs\u2019 Week 8 win. What that means for league discipline and how it compares to other fines this season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5432,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[289],"tags":[692,195,690,691,689,221],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Patric-Mahomes.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5465,"url":"https:\/\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/chiefs-reveal-patrick-mahomes-injury-status-ahead-of-thursdays-dallas-clash\/","url_meta":{"origin":5429,"position":0},"title":"Chiefs Reveal Patrick Mahomes\u2019 Injury Status Ahead of Thursday\u2019s Dallas Clash","author":"Babita Singh","date":"November 25, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The Kansas City Chiefs took a gritty step forward with a 23-20 overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, but the victory came with a caveat: their star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, is dealing with a groin issue. 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After crossing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News &amp; Updates&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News &amp; Updates","link":"https:\/\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/news-and-updates\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/QB-Patrick-Mahomes.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5301,"url":"https:\/\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/flying-high-how-the-philadelphia-eagles-soared-to-a-40-22-victory-over-the-kansas-city-chiefs-in-super-bowl-lix\/","url_meta":{"origin":5429,"position":3},"title":"Flying High: How the Philadelphia Eagles Soared to a 40-22 Victory Over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX","author":"Nitin Singh","date":"February 10, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The Philadelphia Eagles delivered a stunning performance in Super Bowl LIX, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in front of a roaring crowd at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. 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A Rocky\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;NFL Draft &amp; Offseason&quot;","block_context":{"text":"NFL Draft &amp; Offseason","link":"https:\/\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/nfl-draft-offseason\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Patrick-Mahomes-Expresses-Confidence-in-Kadarius-Toney-After-Chiefs-Loss-to-Lions.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5429"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5429"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5429\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5433,"href":"https:\/\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5429\/revisions\/5433"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5432"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5429"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5429"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wisdomimbibe.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5429"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}