NFL fines Nick Sirianni, Mike Vrabel and Aaron Glenn $250,000 each for conduct toward officials

The NFL has fined three head coaches $250,000 apiece for their conduct toward game officials: Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles, Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots and Aaron Glenn of the New York Jets, according to reports Wednesday night.

There is a catch. The fines are being held in abeyance, meaning they are on hold and can be repealed if the coaches show good behavior. The league is trying to make a point to all coaches about how they treat officials, according to the reports.

It was not immediately known when the fines were handed down or which specific incidents led to them.

A steep number

The amount stands out. In 2012 former Patriots coach Bill Belichick was fined $50,000 for confronting a replacement official and grabbing his arm.

Vrabel was flagged in Week 4 for what he said to an official after a disputed call. "I told him it was a terrible -- I'm not going to say effing -- call," Vrabel said after that game. "I've said that 87 times since I've been a head coach. It was nothing derogatory. You'd have to ask him. I think he was a little sensitive."

The fines come weeks after two officials were suspended for their interactions with players in Week 5. Some observers read the coaches' penalties as a gesture toward the referees' union.

Sirianni's sideline fire

Sirianni has had a long run of animated exchanges with referees as Eagles coach and has at times tangled with fans and opposing players too.

Team CEO Jeffrey Lurie addressed that side of his coach in 2024. "I think, first of all, one of the aspects that makes Nick really good is he's authentic. He doesn't hold back. That also can be a negative at times," Lurie said. "On the sideline, you don't want to infuriate the referees. I always worry about, you know, I want the referees to give us a fair shake, so I don't want him to overreact. But I love his passion."