Nick Sirianni Among Three Coaches Reportedly Fined $250,000 Over Officiating Conduct

Nick Sirianni Reportedly Fined $250,000 Over Officiating Conduct© Instagram

The NFL handed out some of its largest coaching fines of the season this week, and three prominent head coaches are on the receiving end. Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles, Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots, and Aaron Glenn of the New York Jets were each fined $250,000 for their conduct toward officials, according to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. The disclosure came at the league's fall owners' meetings in New York City. None of the three may actually pay. The fines are being held in abeyance, a structure that puts the money on hold and allows it to be wiped away if the coaches keep their composure on the sideline the rest of the season. That makes the $250,000 figure as much a formal warning as a real financial hit.

Vrabel's Week 4 Penalty

The reports do not say which specific moments triggered each fine, but Vrabel's situation has the most documented paper trail. He was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct in Week 4 after telling an official that a call during a 29-26 win over the Buffalo Bills was terrible. Vrabel said afterward he was surprised by the flag, that he had used similar language throughout his coaching career without drawing a penalty, and that he had apologized to the official. Whether that exchange contributed to the fine, the reports did not say. Glenn's and Sirianni's situations were not described in detail, though Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie has previously spoken publicly about his concern over Sirianni's behavior toward referees.

Officials Have Also Faced Discipline

The coach fines landed in the same season the league suspended two officials for their conduct toward players. Line judge Jeff Seeman sat out two games and referee Adrian Hill sat out one. Both actions came before these coach fines were announced, and together they show the league pushing back on sideline conduct from multiple directions.

The $250,000 figure is significantly higher than past comparables. Bill Belichick was fined $50,000 for a conduct matter in 2012. For now, Sirianni, Vrabel, and Glenn are on notice rather than on the hook.