Steelers Running Back Jaylen Warren Receives Backup From J.J. Watt On Ridiculous Fines: "What Do You Want Him To Do?"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have suffered heavily from the stricter rules this season. Rising star Jaylen Warren has had multiple fines levied against him, with some totaling almost his entire game check. Warren has realistically played for free on the weeks he's been fined, while the fines themselves have been egregious and unnecessary. The NFL has a lot of work to do to identify dirty plays with harmful intent and plays that just fit into the nature of football. 

The fines against Warren have been questionable at best, with many fans, players, and analysts taking notice and calling the NFL out on their head-scratching punishments. Recently on The Pat McAfee Show, special guest J.J. Watt took notice of Warren's fines, especially his most recent one that occurred while he was blocking a defender against the Los Angeles Rams. Watt then commented that while watching the play once, the "dirty hit" isn't noticeable and went on to explain that if you have to watch a play multiple times for a bad play, it's probably not that bad. 

"Any time you have to watch the play 10 times to figure out which person is getting fined, I think you messed up."

Watt went on to further explain that he posted the play on X (formally known as Twitter) on behalf of Warren, saying the fine was ridiculous. Comments flooded his post asking which player committed the infraction and why they were fined. It proved the point that the play isn't incredibly obvious and the decision to fine Warren wasn't sound. 

Warren is also still on his rookie contract, meaning he's earning a very low salary compared to some veteran counterparts. The fine Warren received for his hit versus the Rams totaled $48,556, which is pretty much his game check. 

"He's playing for free. He's literally going out there and playing for free, two weeks in a row. What do you want him to do? It's a 300-pound man," Watt said defending Warren.

Watt went on to further explain his takes on the NFL's fining policies this year and pointed out some discrepancies in their reasoning. While lowering your head can be dangerous and malicious in specific situations, it is also just a way to gain leverage and win a hard-fought battle in a very physical sport. Watt believes that if the NFL wants to fine players for lowering their heads into blocks or to gain an extra yard, plays like cut blocks done by tight ends should also become illegal and should be fined. 

Flag football was just introduced to the Olympics for the next summer games, and multiple players are interested in participating. Watt is just as excited for the Olympics, but he also recognizes that the NFL is heading in the direction of flag football with how soft they have gotten with their unsportsmanlike conduct calls and fines. 

"I love flag football, it's a great sport. But we are literally headed towards that direction as a league."

Mentions of the NFL being too political were also brought up by both Pat McAfee and Watt, contrasting the NFL's brutal fine and suspension policies with the NHL. That's a league that acknowledges fights will happen in their sport, simply because of how intense and physical a game can get.

How Can the Steelers Combat the Rules?

Regardless of how insane the NFL fining system might be, it is still being strictly enforced and players must learn to adapt to the rules the NFL puts forward. Warren went on record to say that while he's frustrated with his recent fines, he won't change his playstyle just because the NFL doesn't like it. Multiple other players have taken the same stance, as they play how they were taught to play, and it is up to the NFL to determine the rules of their game and what is allowed. 

Players like Warren also have the benefit of the NFL Player's Association (NFLPA), as the organization will fight for the best interests of their players to make sure they are being treated as fairly as possible. If the fines continue to be an issue for multiple players around the league, it isn't far-fetched to think that the NFLPA might get involved to protect their players from losing a large percentage of their salary. Since the preseason, NFL players have been fined over $13 million, and the NFL has shown no signs of slowing down. 

What do you think of the current fining situation in the NFL? Will the fines ever slow down this season, or will the NFLPA get involved? Leave your thoughts in a comment!

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