The Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints were each fined a whopping $500,000 on Thursday after multiple brawls broke out during their joint practice earlier in the week. Between six and eight fights reportedly broke out between the two sides, with players throwing punches, tossing helmets, and — in one especially wild moment — a Saints player delivering a WWE-style suplex on a Dallas defender. According to Cowboys insider Patrik Walker, owner Jerry Jones intends to personally fine the players he considers responsible for the fighting.
Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News added that Jones also plans to appeal the $500,000 league fine altogether. More news: Bears Insider Raises Concern Over Star CB’s Status Ahead of 2026 Season The NFL is clearly signaling zero tolerance for how badly things escalated, as well as the media firestorm that followed. But $500,000 is still a massive fine for a practice fight, even by NFL standards.
Two years ago, the New York Giants and Detroit Lions were each fined $200,000 after fights broke out during their own joint practice — less than half of what the Cowboys and Saints now owe. But in that instance, neither organization decided to personally punish the players involved. Jones doesn't appear as willing to let his players off the hook so easily.
More news: Diego Pavia Has a Real Shot at Returning to College Football — Here’s How More news: Malik Willis Praises Competitive Fire in Dolphins’ Unproven WR Room As for who exactly Jones might target, Cowboys outside linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku — who was ejected for throwing punches — could be one name on the list. Safety Jalen Thompson and linebacker Sam Williams could also be in the mix, as both were involved in multiple altercations. The situation was summed up well by Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer after the practice.
"There's a discipline element to playing this football game," Schottenheimer said. "Unfortunately, we didn't handle that very well today." Time will tell whether Jones' appeal results in a reduced fine, and which players he ultimately deems the biggest instigators on Dallas' side.
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