Barkley was fined $45,020 by the NFL for unnecessary roughness — aka, using his helmet as a weapon — during Philly’s 20-16 win over the Cleveland Browns last week.

Fans were beside themselves when news of the fine broke on Saturday. Barkley does lower his helmet at the end of the play in question, but it was hardly malicious or anything other than a normal football play to the naked eye:

The NFL fined #Eagles RB Saquon Barkley $45,020 for unnecessary roughness (use of the helmet) on this play. pic.twitter.com/z0dQh6kETE

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 19, 2024

Eagles fans were quick to point out that the NFL fined New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Khristian Boyd just $4,600 for his brutal hit on DeVonta Smith that left the star wide receiver with a multi-week concussion. While that is a laughably low amount in comparison, the difference is that Barkley had been warned previously by the league about using his helmet to ward off defenders.

In December of 2023, Barkley was hit with a $21,855 fine for the same infraction. It happened in a game against the Eagles of all teams. 

Giants RB Saquon Barkley was fined $21,855 for unnecessary roughness on this play, apparently for lowering his helmet as he drove into Eagles LB Shaq Leonard. NFL is working hard to discourage ball-carriers from doing this. These are tough fines to stomach, though. Fine line… pic.twitter.com/MvpRNqDHrD

— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) December 30, 2023

It’s clear the league wants running backs to stop lowering their helmets at defenders, and the crazy dollar amount of Barkley’s most recent fine quickly made headlines. 

It’s also hard to feel too bad for Barkley, who knows the NFL has been after him on these types of plays. He either doesn’t know he’s doing it in real time on a bang-bang play, or he hasn’t cared enough to make adjustments to his running style. 

By the rate these fines are escalating — the league likely has Barkley’s attention. Even for millionaire professional football players, $45,000 is a major chunk of change. 

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