Cooper DeJean
Mitchell Leff/Getty
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 7: Cooper DeJean #33 and Reed Blankenship #32 of the Philadelphia Eagles look on against the Cincinnati Bengals before an NFL Preseason 2025 game against Cincinnati Bengals at Lincoln Financial Field on August 7, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
On Saturday, the NFL released their fines from Week 1’s action. Three Philadelphia Eagles were hit with a fine based on activity in the season’s opening game against the Cowboys.
CBs Cooper DeJean and Jakorian Bennett, as well as ED Nolan Smith Jr. were all fined. DeJean was fined $11,593 for a facemask penalty and Smith was fined an identical $11,593 for taunting. Bennett had the largest penalty, fined $23,186 for an illegal hip-drop tackle. The facemask and taunting penalties were called in the game; the hip-drop tackle was not.
This is in addition to the penalties DT Jalen Carter faced for spitting on Cowboys QB Dak Prescott. After reviewing the incident, the league determined that Carter had already served his one-game suspension since he was ejected before playing a single snap against Dallas. He also forfeited his $57,222 game check in addition to the served suspension.
Discipline an Issue for the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1
Nolan Smith Jr.
Emilee Chinn/GettyNEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 09: Nolan Smith Jr. #3 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after beating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 to win Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Against the Cowboys last week, the Eagles had nine accepted penalties for 110 yards. That’s a high number, and many came in critical moments that kept Dallas in the game. Starting with Carter’s ejection for spitting, it seemed the Eagles were playing with a profound lack of discipline on both sides of the ball, repeatedly and unintentionally aiding their opponent through their own actions.
In 21 games last season, the Eagles were seventh-worst in the NFL in total number of accepted penalties against (though, including the playoffs, they played more games than any other team, which warps the stats a bit). In terms of accepted penalties per game, and just looking at the regular season, Philadelphia was actually 10th-best in the league at 6.0 penalties per game.
While it can be chalked up to first-game jitters, especially since the Eagles celebrated last season’s Super Bowl with their fans in the stadium just before kickoff, it’s something they’ll need to get under control. Philadelphia HC Nick Sirianni will preach self-control moving forward, undoubtedly.
Super Bowl Rematch Looming for Philadelphia Eagles
Later today, the Eagles will face the Chiefs in a rematch of the 2025 Super Bowl. The Eagles dominated that game, 40-22, and the game wasn’t even that close as Kansas City scored a bunch of garbage time point to salvage a somewhat-respectable final scoreboard.
The Chiefs will no doubt be out for blood, seeking to get some payback for their loss in the biggest game of the season back in February. Two years ago, the Eagles were coming off a loss to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl the previous season and got their revenge in their regular-season rematch.
The difference is, the Eagles Super Bowl loss was a heart-breaker. Philadelphia dominated Kansas City in last season’s Super Bowl. They should be feeling confident heading into this matchup. That said, the Chiefs will be desperate, looking to avoid an 0-2 start — and Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes can work miracles. The Eagles will need to be locked in.