The NFL has fined Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco $45,020 for unnecessary roughness (use of the helmet) against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 14. NFL insider Tom Pelissero posted a clip of the play on X.
The play occurred midway through the second quarter as Pacheco caught a swing pass out of the backfield. He attempted to break a tackling attempt from Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton, but Pacheco lowered his head as the two collided. It appeared to be mostly shoulder-to shoulder contact. There was no penalty called on the play.
Pacheco was fined for the same violation back in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens, which Pelissero also posted to X.
That incident was even more egregious as he clearly led with his shoulder and contact was made to the defender’s chest. No flag was thrown on that play, either. Both plays seem pretty clean, but for better or worse, the NFL is cracking down hard on players lowering their head on contact.
It has become very difficult for ball carries to decide how to brace for a hit, and lowering the head is a very natural reaction, especially when you only have a split second to think. Unfortunately for Pacheco, as a very physical runner he is at more risk to be subjected to these types of fines.
To make matters more frustrating, this new fine is a whopping nine times the amount as his Week 1 fine of $5,582. Pacheco is on a rookie contract in which he is making a little less than $1 million this season, so he will be out about five percent of his salary on this one play.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White was also fined $45,020 for the same violation, and he too was not penalized by officials on the play. It’s a frustrating issue and a huge disconnect between players and league officials, and it doesn’t seem likely to be fixed any time soon.
As for Pacheco, hopefully he and the Chiefs’ coaching staff can come up with something fundamentally to help him at least minimize this issue. He has played well since returning from a leg injury two weeks ago and will be a big part of Kansas City’s offense down the stretch. Pacheco is averaging a stellar 4.7 yards per carry since coming back.
