It's been a tough couple of weeks for Vernon Butler as his antics are making it difficult for the Carolina Panthers to try and keep him. The fine the NFL slapped him for his latest stunt may become the straw that would send the defensive tackle to free agency.

According to Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk, the Week 16 ejection in the lost to the Indianapolis Colts wasn't enough for the punch Butler threw Jack Doyle's way and the subsequent middle finger he gave Indianapolis fans on his way to the locker room.

The league fined Butler $10,527 for throwing a punch, which got him ejected, and another $14,037 for flipping off the crowd on his way to the locker room during Sunday’s loss to the Colts.

Butler later apologized, saying “it’s not me” and that he’s “a better person than that.”

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It's unacceptable that Butler had to act out this way, but one can see why the tackle would be frustrated to the point of flipping fans off. They played a horrible game as they weren't able to stop the Indianapolis offense from doing whatever they wanted.

This only puts his future with the team in doubt. Since being drafted by the Panthers in the first round of the 2016 draft, he hasn't exactly played up to the expectations set by his status as a first-round selection. He's a forthcoming free agent in the 2020 offseason, and he's stepped up his performances to try and convince the Panthers to keep him. He's notched career highs in games started (nine), tackles (31), sacks (6.0), and fumble recoveries (3.0).

Vernon Butler would have a lot of convincing to do if he wants to keep his spot in the Panthers roster. And he hopes that this latest fine he incurred won't shoo the Panthers from re-signing him.