Why was Josh Jacobs hit with $45,000 fine? Explaining reason behind Packers RB's penalty

Josh Jacobs thought he had made a great play for the Packers against the Titans in Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season. In the fourth quarter, Green Bay was leading 27-14 and needed to keep rushing on the ground and picking up first downs to run down the clock. They did so successfully with the running back proving invaluable in one particular drive.

With just over five minutes remaining in the game, Josh Jacobs took off with the ball. As he got near the first down, he needed to power through to ensure he moved the chains and he put his head down to do so. The play was successful, the referees did not see a problem with it, and the play continued as if nothing had happened. The Packers added three more points before the game was over to finish with a 30-14 win.

But after further review, Josh Jacobs has now been fined $45,020 for that action. He was deemed to have lowered his head dangerously and was called for illegal use of the helmet and unnecessary roughness. It must be noted that the running back's helmet crashed directly with cornerback Quandre Diggs' helmet.

How did NFL fine Packers RB when referees did not throw a flag against Josh Jacobs?

The incident did not raise an eyebrow during the game, so, many observers might be surprised by what can be considered retroactive punishment. But based on the terms negotiated by the NFL and NFLPA, the league has broad jurisdiction over every play. They are able to respond to what has been flagged by the officials but are not limited by that.

In fact, the NFL officiating department reviews every play from every game. Potential violations, like the one in the case of Josh Jacobs here, are submitted to the Football Operations compliance team. The player is then notified of the infraction, the video of the concerned play, the amount of the fine, and the reason why they are being fined.

The $45,020 fine will be deducted from the running back's next game check. Josh Jacobs has the right to appeal and once that process is over, the ruling officer's decision is binding.

While the fine might sound harsh, the NFL has done a lot to clamp down on head collisions, especially as the focus has been on how repeated concussions lead to CTE and other neurodegenerative diseases. Recent comments by Hall-of-Fame quarterback Brett Favre where he mentioned he has Parkinson's disease will only strengthen the league's resolve to mitigate helmet-to-helmet contact.

Ultimately, what stands out in the regulations stipulating the fines is that whatever amount is collected is not retained by the league. Instead, the money is donated to:

"... the Professional Athletes Foundation to support Legends in need and the NFL Foundation to further support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game."

The funds collected through fines from Josh Jacobs and others for myriad reasons, including illegal use of helmets, go to the health and safety expenditures of both current and former players. Given that head injury is the most common long-term problem players report after retirement, it is possible to make sense of why the NFL came down so hard on the Packers' running back.