The fines for last Sunday’s games are coming out today. Among them comes the news that Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby’s just got a lot lighter.
Crosby was fined $15,450 by the NFL for his hit on Washington QB Taylor Heinicke according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
#Raiders DE Maxx Crosby was fined $15,450 for a hit on the QB, roughing Washington QB Taylor Heinicke last week.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 11, 2021
That is no small amount for the former fourth round pick is still currently playing on his rookie contract.
The hit in question was one in which Crosby was penalized for landing on Heinicke just after he released the ball. Presumably had he let up, there wouldn’t have been a flag, but these days there seems no way to get around a flag for any sort of contact with the quarterback.
For reference, here is the hit:
This was called roughing the passer on Maxx Crosby.pic.twitter.com/8yyxlBLLLd
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 5, 2021
Considering Crosby’s head and most of his body didn’t actually land on Heinicke, there was some disagreement about whether this should have been a penalty at all. But leave it to the NFL not only to dig their heels in, but to double down with the fine after the fact.