Fines Hit Ty Johnson and Joey Bosa on the Buffalo Bills

In the high-stakes stretch of the NFL regular season, where every win (and every mistake) can shape a team’s playoff fate, disciplinary fines from the league office are more than just financial penalties—they’re reminders of the NFL’s commitment to enforcing on-field rules, especially those related to player safety. For the Buffalo Bills, a team fighting to secure a top seed in the AFC, two such fines were handed down in Week 15: one to running back Ty Johnson and another to defensive end Joey Bosa. The fines, totaling over $50,000 combined, stemmed from separate incidents in the Bills’ Week 14 win over the Kansas City Chiefs—a game that solidified their position as AFC contenders but also left two key players facing league discipline. Fines Hit Ty Johnson and Joey Bosa on the Buffalo Bills examines the specifics of each infraction, the NFL’s rationale for the penalties, and how these fines might impact the Bills as they head into the final weeks of the season.

Fines Hit Ty Johnson and Joey Bosa on the Buffalo Bills begins with the details of Ty Johnson’s fine and the play that led to it. Johnson, a backup running back who has seen increased snaps due to injuries in the Bills’ backfield, was fined $15,904 for a late hit on Chiefs safety Bryan Cook during the third quarter of Week 14’s game. The incident occurred after Cook intercepted a pass from Bills quarterback Josh Allen; as Cook was being tackled by other Bills players, Johnson arrived late and delivered a shoulder-to-shoulder hit to Cook’s upper body—after Cook had already been ruled down by contact. The NFL’s Football Operations department classified the hit as “unnecessary roughness,” noting that it violated Rule 12, Section 2, Article 8, which prohibits late hits on players who are no longer actively participating in a play. “It was a heat-of-the-moment play,” Johnson told reporters after the fine was announced. “I was trying to make a play to get the ball back, and I didn’t realize he was already down. I accept the fine and will be more careful in the future.” For the Bills, Johnson’s fine is a minor financial setback, but it’s a reminder of the league’s zero-tolerance policy for plays that risk player safety—especially as teams deal with injury concerns heading into the playoffs.

The second fine, and the more significant one for the Bills, was Joey Bosa’s $36,444 penalty for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The incident happened in the second quarter of the Week 14 game, when Bosa—playing in just his third game since joining the Bills via mid-season trade—rushed Mahomes from the edge. As Mahomes stepped up in the pocket to throw, Bosa lowered his helmet and made contact with Mahomes’ helmet, a violation of the NFL’s strict helmet-to-helmet hit rules (Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1). The play drew a 15-yard penalty on the field, and after a review by the NFL’s disciplinary committee, Bosa was issued the fine—his first since joining the Bills. Bosa, a six-time Pro Bowler known for his aggressive pass-rushing style, defended the play initially but later acknowledged the league’s reasoning. “I’m a physical player, and I’m always trying to get to the quarterback,” Bosa said in a statement. “But I understand the league’s focus on protecting quarterbacks, and I’ll adjust my approach to avoid those hits going forward.” The fine is notable not just for its size, but for what it represents: Bosa is a key addition to the Bills’ defense, and any adjustment to his playing style could impact the team’s ability to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks—a critical part of their playoff strategy.

A critical aspect of Fines Hit Ty Johnson and Joey Bosa on the Buffalo Bills is how these fines fit into the NFL’s broader disciplinary landscape and the Bills’ team culture. The NFL has long emphasized player safety, particularly when it comes to hits on quarterbacks and late hits on defenseless players, and fines for such infractions have increased in recent years (the league raised fine amounts by 3% for the 2024 season). For the Buffalo Bills, a team that prides itself on disciplined play (they rank 11th in the NFL in fewest penalty yards per game), these fines are a rare blemish. Head coach Sean McDermott has spoken repeatedly about the importance of playing “smart, physical football without crossing the line,” and he addressed the team about the fines in a practice meeting after Week 15. “We support our players, but we also support the league’s efforts to keep everyone safe,” McDermott said. “These fines are a learning opportunity for all of us—reminders that even in the heat of competition, we have to play within the rules.” The Bills have also taken practical steps to prevent future infractions: adding film sessions focused on legal tackling techniques, and having defensive line coaches work with Bosa on adjusting his rush angle to avoid helmet contact.

Another important angle is the potential impact of these fines on the Bills’ roster and playoff readiness. Johnson, while a backup, has been a valuable special teams contributor and a rotational player in the running back room—especially with starter James Cook dealing with a nagging ankle injury. The fine won’t affect his playing time, but it could lead to more cautious play from him in key moments. For Bosa, the stakes are higher: he’s expected to be a focal point of the Bills’ pass rush in the playoffs, where generating pressure on quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes or Lamar Jackson will be critical. The fine hasn’t changed his role, but it has sparked conversations about how he’ll adapt his style. “Joey’s strength is his aggressiveness, but he’s also a smart player,” defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said. “He’ll find a way to be just as effective without putting himself at risk of fines or ejections. That’s what makes him a Pro Bowler.” The Buffalo Bills also have the financial flexibility to absorb these fines—both players are on multi-million dollar contracts, and the team hasn’t indicated any plans to discipline them beyond what the league has imposed. The bigger concern is avoiding repeat infractions: if Bosa were to receive another helmet-to-helmet fine, he could face a one-game suspension, which would be a major blow to the Bills’ playoff hopes.

Wrapping up Fines Hit Ty Johnson and Joey Bosa on the Buffalo Bills is the bigger picture: how these disciplinary actions reflect the NFL’s evolving priorities and the Bills’ ability to adapt. The league’s focus on player safety isn’t going away, and teams that can balance physical play with rule compliance will have an advantage in the playoffs. For the Buffalo Bills, these fines are a minor detour in what has been a strong season (they hold a 12-2 record and are in contention for the AFC’s No. 1 seed). They’ve shown resilience in the face of adversity all season—overcoming injuries to key players, navigating a tough schedule, and winning close games—and they’re likely to treat these fines as just another challenge to overcome. “We’re a team that learns from our mistakes,” Allen said after Week 15’s win over the Miami Dolphins. “Ty and Joey are great players, and they’ll bounce back from this. We’re all focused on the same goal: winning a Super Bowl, and we’ll do whatever it takes to get there—within the rules.” As the Bills head into the final weeks of the regular season, the fines will fade from the spotlight, but the lessons they taught will remain. Fines Hit Ty Johnson and Joey Bosa on the Buffalo Bills isn’t just a story about two players being penalized—it’s a story about a team staying true to its values while adapting to the NFL’s changing landscape, a balance that will be critical to their success in the playoffs.