The Buffalo Bills defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 30-21 in Week 11, marking the defending champions’ first loss of 2024. While this setback ended the Chiefs’ quest for a historic season, Patrick Mahomes faced additional consequences beyond just the loss.
Following the game, the NFL imposed a fine of $ 14,069 on Mahomes, as reported by Tom Pelissero. The penalty was for what was described as a “violent gesture” made by the quarterback after he threw a touchdown pass to Noah Gray in the fourth quarter. The gesture in question was simply a six-finger point directed at Gray after the catch.
Fans were understandably outraged by the reasoning behind Patrick Mahomes’ fine. While fines for players have become commonplace in the league, many felt that Mahomes’ gesture of pointing to a teammate after scoring didn’t merit punishment.
The former MVP is no stranger to fines from league authorities. Notably, he received a $ 50,000 fine in December 2023 for criticizing officials following a loss—ironically, that game was also against the Bills. On the same day, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was fined for a similar infraction.
Ultimately, the fine will be a minor inconvenience for Mahomes, who is set to earn approximately $ 40 million annually for the next seven years. The 29-year-old is still early in the substantial 10-year contract extension he signed in 2020.
Chiefs look to rebound from Week 11 loss
For the first time in almost a full year, the Chiefs find themselves needing to bounce back from a loss. Kansas City is heading to Charlotte to face the Carolina Panthers as they look to recover from their first defeat of the season.
Meanwhile, the struggling Panthers are coming off a bye week and are two weeks removed from their third win of 2024. In Week 10, Carolina achieved a thrilling 20-17 overtime victory against the New York Giants, marking their second consecutive win and giving quarterback Bryce Young the first winning streak of his two-year career.
After Week 12, the Chiefs will return home for the first time since Week 10. However, most of their upcoming games will be on the road as they aim to secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
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