Hold up — did the NFL just drop a $22,511 fine on Dallas’ Trey Lance for that hit on Eagles’ safety? They did — and Cowboys fans are not having it. From jaw-dropping reactions to calls for consistency in the league’s fines, the controversy has sparked a full-on debate.
Was it a questionable hit, or is the NFL going a bit overboard? Either way, this move has stirred up the fanbase, and the Twitter streets are buzzing.
Trey Lance’s $22K Fine Sparks Outrage: Fans Call NFL Decision Unfair
Lance — who played just 10 snaps in Week 10 against the Eagles — lost $22,511 for a hit on Eagles safety Reed Blankenship. The 24-year-old’s first regular season action took a hit to his wallet due to the NFL’s fine for unnecessary roughness.
The violation? Lance used his helmet to deliver a blow to Blankenship, who’d just recovered a fumble and was headed toward the end zone. What’s troubling for fans is that Lance wasn’t flagged for the play during the game. But now, he’s got a pretty hefty fine to pay.
Fans are fuming, and the reactions are rolling in. “They’re stealing money. It’s getting out of hand,” said one disgruntled fan on X.
The sentiment is clear—$22,511 for a hit that wasn’t even penalized in-game seems a bit much.
They’re stealing money. It’s getting out of hand
— DBDonBoogie (@DBDonBoogie) November 16, 2024
Another user said, “Bro played 10 snaps and comes away owing 20k 😭😭 ”You can almost feel the frustration, especially since Lance was only in the game for a handful of plays.”
Bro played 10 snaps and comes away owing 20k 😭😭
— Philadelphia Eagles Central (@pheaglescentral) November 16, 2024
But the criticism goes beyond just the fine. “That’s absolutely ridiculous. Fines for plays like this, but nothing for refs who are blowing calls each week?” (another fan’s take).
That’s absolutely ridiculous. Fines for plays like this but nothing for refs who are blowing calls each week?
— Skekscellent (@Skekscellent) November 16, 2024
And it doesn’t stop there. One user quipped, “So he got fined for playing football? Got it.” Meanwhile, comparisons are being drawn to other plays, like Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa’s similar hit, asking why that didn’t result in a fine. “But they didn’t fine TUA for his hit,” commented a fan.
Ultimately, this controversy highlights just how emotional fans get when they feel the league is acting unfairly. Whether or not Trey Lance’s fine stands, one thing’s clear: the NFL’s decision is igniting a conversation about consistency, fairness, and, of course, the price of playing football.
Jerry Jones Believes in Trey Lance
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is all in on Lance’s potential—he just wants to see it play out on-field. When asked about the QB’s desire to grow, Jones didn’t hold back.
“Mentally, he’s one of the top people our coaches have ever been around,” Jones asserted. “He’s got the temperament for that position, he’s really outstanding mentally.”
Jones also compared Lance’s work ethic to that of Cowboys legend Troy Aikman. “He’s got work ethic. The stick-to-itiveness,” he added.
Lance, drafted third overall in 2021, has the physical tools: a strong arm, size, and speed. But Jones emphasizes that success comes with the right opportunity. It’s clear that while Trey Lance has all the traits of a future star, his true test will come in real-game competition. Now, it’s all about waiting for that chance to shine.