Philadelphia Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley has been handed the biggest fine of the 2025 NFL season so far—and it came on a play that didn’t even draw a flag.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the league docked Barkley $46,371 for offensive unnecessary roughness during the Eagles’ 20–17 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
The incident occurred when the 28-year-old Pro Bowler used his helmet while taking down Chiefs defensive back Chamarri Conner. Despite the forceful nature of the hit, officials did not penalize Barkley in-game.
Barkley finished the contest with 88 rushing yards on 22 carries and a touchdown, continuing a strong start to his first season in Philadelphia. Through two games, the former Giants star has already totaled 148 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 40 attempts.
While the fine won’t drastically impact Barkley’s paycheck, it serves as another reminder that the NFL is cracking down on unnecessary roughness, regardless of whether referees throw a flag in the moment.
For Eagles fans, Barkley’s production outweighs the cost—but the league has made it clear that no star player is exempt from discipline.
