NFL Hits Chiefs Star With Late Super Bowl Penalty: Source

After each weekend’s games, the NFL usually releases any sanctions the following Saturday. However, the league’s Super Bowl punishment took longer than typical.

Pro Football Talk managing editor Michael David Smith corrected his report on February 19 after saying on February 18 that no fines were given to either side. According to Smith, there was only one late fine, and it was applied to linebacker Nick Bolton of the Kansas City Chiefs (see above photo).

“In the second quarter of the game, Bolton was flagged for a horse-collar tackle on [San Francisco 49ers quarterback] Brock Purdy,” Smith reported. “Now that the NFL has acknowledged it, Bolton was also assessed a $8,238 fine for the infraction.”

“It was a fairly minor horse-collar tackle by Bolton, who only briefly grabbed the back of Purdy’s jersey and let go without dragging Purdy to the ground,” the PFT media member continued. However, the league’s disciplinary office believed it was worthy of a fine, and the officials thought it was worthy of a flag.

NFL Did Not Penalize Chiefs CB L’Jarius Sneed for “Unnecessary Roughness” During the Super Bowl 

Smith reports that “the NFL did not fine Sneed, or any other player, but Kansas City’s L’Jarius Sneed was flagged for unnecessary roughness, the only other personal foul called in the game.”

The 49ers’ possession that resulted in a score in the second quarter was when Sneed’s flag was raised. Before the punt, Bolton had ownership of the horse collar.

Despite the fact that San Francisco had only gained one yard prior to Sneed’s infraction, the 15-yard penalty at that point was crucial in shifting the momentum, as it put the ball at the 21-yard line, just outside the red zone. Two plays later, the Niners found the end zone, making the score 10-0 (after the PAT).

ALSO READ: Trade Pitch by the Vikings Flips Justin Jefferson, Selects Franchise QB

Luckily, the Chiefs managed to finish a field goal drive prior to the half, which allowed them to regain some momentum with two quarters of regulation remaining. History is what’s left.

In their analysis of the offseason, NFL Insider names the Chiefs a “major contender.”

On February 19, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler published an offseason breakdown in which he divided the league into divisions. The Chiefs were categorized as “Still major contenders” and assigned to Tier 1.

The 49ers, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, and Kansas City joined the four teams who qualified for this year’s conference championship games, thus there were no surprises in this group.

“By winning a championship in a “down” season, the Chiefs have demonstrated to fans that anything is achievable in the next three to five years,” Fowler said.

Proceeding: “The Chiefs still need to find a wide receiver to complement Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice in the short future. It seems ambitious to re-sign free agents Chris Jones and La’Jarius Sneed, but Kansas City should start with one and work their way up. Let’s start with Jones since he is the foundation of the entire pass rush.

Fowler continued, “Declining Kadarius Toney’s fifth-year option seems like a given.” And assistance for the offensive tackle should arrive soon. Tyron Smith, a free agent, is a very sensible left-handed player.

It was an interesting choice made amid the insider’s ideas and recommendations. Fowler chose Jones over Sneed when he had to choose between the two.

It’s difficult to disagree with the choice given Jones’ ability to cause havoc on games, but it’s reasonable to wonder if the majority of Chiefs supporters would. In the NFL, which relies heavily on passes, Sneed plays a more significant role and will be less expensive than Jones.

Things will get extremely interesting if the front office decides that’s not feasible, but Kansas City has made it clear that they want both defenders back in 2024.

Would the Chiefs be forced off their current podium if they lost a Jones or Sneed? Perhaps, perhaps not. Who knows what could stop Patrick Mahomes when the team has won two titles in a row without Tyreek Hill.