NFL Fines Chiefs Receiver JuJu Smith‑Schuster $7,903 for Low Block

When JuJu Smith‑Schuster, wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs, was hit with a $7,903 fine on Saturday, October 4, 2025, the league’s post‑game review process stole the spotlight.

The penalty stems from an alleged low‑block during the Chiefs’ Week 4 showdown with the Baltimore Ravens. No flag flew on the field, but the National Football League deemed the maneuver “unnecessary roughness” after reviewing the play on Tuesday.

Why the Fine Matters

The NFL has been tightening its grip on dangerous blocks, especially after a spate of injuries to defensive backs in recent seasons. By fining Smith‑Schuster despite the lack of an in‑game flag, the league sent a clear message: post‑game video reviews are just as binding as on‑field whistles.

It’s not the first time a Chiefs receiver has been singled out. Back in 2023, a similar infraction led to a $5,200 sanction for another player. The consistency, however, remains under scrutiny, with critics arguing that the league sometimes appears to pick and choose who gets penalized.

Upcoming Monday Night Football Clash

Two days after the fine, Kansas City rolls into Jacksonville, Florida for a Monday Night Football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 6, 2025. The matchup is already hyped because the Jaguars boast a stingy secondary, led by slot corner Jourdan Lewis.

ESPN analytics writer Seth Walder predicts that Lewis will shut down Smith‑Schuster and fellow slot receiver Hollywood Brown completely. Lewis is allowing just 0.7 yards per coverage snap this season – the fifth‑best figure among slot corners with at least 80 snaps – and his completion‑percentage‑over‑expectation sits at a minus‑17% mark, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

• Game time: 8:15 p.m. ET, Monday Night Football
• Location: TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville
• Key matchup: Jourdan Lewis vs. JuJu Smith‑Schuster
• Chiefs’ record: 0‑2 entering the game
• Jaguars leading the league in drops (10 total)

How the Fine Impacts the Chiefs’ Receiving Corps

Smith‑Schuster’s fine arrives at a delicate juncture. He’s listed on the injury report for the Jaguars game, yet the coaching staff expects him to suit up. More importantly, his target share could shrink once Rashee Rice finishes a six‑game suspension.

Rice, who has been a deep‑threat option since his rookie season, returns in Week 6. When he’s back, the Chiefs plan to rotate the slot responsibilities, giving Brown and Rice more snaps while dialing down Smith‑Schuster’s workload. For a veteran who signed a three‑year extension in 2024, the shift feels like a quiet nudging out of the spotlight.

Controversies That Have Followed Smith‑Schuster

Beyond this week’s low block, the wideout has been tangled in a series of disputed plays. In late September, a near‑goal‑line pick‑play involving Smith‑Schuster sparked an initial flag that was later rescinded, fuelling rumors of referee bias. Then, in a close loss to the Jaguars later that month, linebacker Devin Lloyd intercepted a Patrick Mahomes pass intended for Smith‑Schuster at the 2‑yard line and returned it for a touchdown.

Those moments have amplified scrutiny on the Chiefs’ receiving unit, especially as Kansas City clings to a 0‑2 start. The fine, while monetary, also adds a layer of psychological pressure on a player already juggling on‑field criticism and off‑field expectations.

Broader Implications for Player Safety and Enforcement

The NFL’s decision to fine without a flag is part of a broader trend toward video‑based accountability. Last season, the league increased the fine schedule for low blocks by 15 %, aiming to deter dangerous techniques that can sideline defensive backs for weeks.

Yet, the policy isn’t without its detractors. Former players argue that retroactive penalties can feel punitive rather than preventive, especially when the play in question didn’t affect the game’s outcome. Advocates, on the other hand, say the added scrutiny protects athletes who are the league’s most valuable asset.

For the Chiefs, the fine is a reminder that every snap is under the microscope. Whether Smith‑Schuster adjusts his blocking style or the coaching staff decides to limit his involvement in run‑blocking schemes, the next few weeks will reveal how the team balances aggression with compliance.

What to Watch Moving Forward

As the Chiefs head into Week 5, fans should keep an eye on three things:

1. Smith‑Schuster’s snap count during the Jaguars game – a dip could signal a strategic shift.
2. The performance of Jourdan Lewis – if he truly shuts down the slot, it may force Kansas City to rethink its passing concepts.
3. Any further disciplinary action – the league’s fine schedule suggests that repeated infractions could lead to larger penalties, possibly even suspensions.

All signs point to a pivotal stretch for a team that loves to win but now faces a reality check on both the field and the rulebook.