Steelers' TJ Watt Eviscerates NFL For "Ridiculous" Fines Jaylen Warren Has Received

The Pittsburgh Steelers have always been successful at finding diamonds in the rough when it comes to undrafted free agents. One of the most successful in team history is James Harrison, who was recently inducted into the franchise's Hall of Honor. Another one who comes to mind, who played a crucial role in the organization's two most recent Super Bowl victories, is running back Willie Parker. Fans are hoping that the new version of Parker is the young downhill runner in Jaylen Warren, who signed with the team undrafted out of Oklahoma State in 2022.

While Warren has certainly made an impact for the Steelers, especially in the pass blocking game, he is getting some national attention for the wrong reasons. He originally signed with Pittsburgh because they offered him the most. In 2023, he has a base salary of $870,000 before taxes. He has already been fined nearly $90,000 in 2023 with the most recent occurrence coming in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Rams when he was slapped with one amounted at $48,556.

He went to block Rams linebacker, Michael Hoecht while protecting the passer and the NFL believed that the way in which he defended his quarterback was unnecessary and dangerous. This led to a fine that equals pretty much his entire game check. It's unbelievable to think that the league essentially made him play for free twice through eight weeks up to this point for simply playing the game of football.

Some of his teammates are even taking notice to how unnecessary these fines are that Warren is being hit with. TJ Watt, who is much more inclined to handle a near-$50,000 fine due to an $112 million contract extension in 2021, ripped into the NFL when asked about it in Tuesday's media session. According to Brooke Pryor of ESPN's social media, Watt doesn't think it's in any way fair to a guy like Warren.

“I think it’s extremely egregious the amount of money a guy like that that’s being fined. It’s ridiculous," Watt told the media.

For reference, a fine of this caliber would be equivalent to just .024 percent of Watt's base salary. For Warren, it's a staggering 5.6 percent. The total dollar amount in fines for the running back in 2023 is $87,556 which is approximately 10% of his base salary, before taxes. There's no way the NFL should have the power to fine a guy with Warren's contract this kind of money.

Steelers Leadership And NFLPA Need To Speak Up On Warren's Behalf

The first fine for the Steelers ball carrier came in Week 2 after a game against the Cleveland Browns when he apparently violated the league's new unnecessary roughness rules. It was originally set at $48,556, but after appeal, went down about $9,000. It was unbelievable to find out that, apparently, someone with the NFL is keeping a close eye on these things because Warren didn't even draw a flag and still was slapped with the fine.

Watt defending his teammate was a good start, but more people with even more pull need to speak up for Warren and other players in the league that aren't getting paid $20 million per year. It comes to a point where a strong voice like Art Rooney II should be calling NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to tell him that enough is enough.

It seems as the majority of individuals talking and writing about Warren's fines think that it's egregious. An undrafted second-year player shouldn't even be able to lose 10% of his salary because he initiated violent contact in... well, a contact sport? The NFL needs to take a look at how they work with this moving forward because Warren fought his way into this league, and before he even has the chance to earn a second contract, he is emptying his pockets.

Do you think that the NFL is being ridiculous with these fines that are being handed out, especially to guys making under $1 million per year? Let us know in the comments below!

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