While the Kansas City Chiefs claimed their ninth straight AFC West title with a win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football, running back Isiah Pacheco was dealt much worse news on Saturday in the form of a hefty fine. In his second game back after missing Weeks 3-12 with a fractured fibula, Pacheco received a fine for a controversial reason that wasn't even penalized during the game, per Tom Pelissero on X.

“The NFL fined #Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco $45,020 for unnecessary roughness (use of the helmet) on this play last week,” Pelissero wrote. “No flag was thrown.”

And when watching the play shown, it's difficult to find anything about it that hasn't occurred in every game this season.

The most jarring part of this is that Pacheco wasn't penalized in the game for this play. So, while it didn't result in any in-game punishment, the play resulted in a $45,000 fine from the league.

Considering Pacheco's $1 million salary in 2024 as a seventh-round pick, that $45,020 loss isn't a minor loss. In theory, Pacheco just bought four slightly used 2024 Ford Fusions.

Once social media caught wind of the fine, they erupted.

Social media went berzerk after Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco's $45,020 fine vs. Chargers

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) runs with the ball against Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Though Pacheco didn't speak publicly on the fine, it's safe to assume he isn't psyched about it.

And alongside Pacheco, the social media world banded together, showing a mass sense of confusion to the fine.

Article Continues Below
More Kansas City Chiefs News
NFL Kansas City Chiefs player and Texas Tech Red Raiders alumni Patrick Mahomes II reacts to a call in the second half in the game against the Houston Cougars at United Supermarkets Arena.
Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes erupts with 3-word reaction to Texas Tech’s win vs. OklahomaJordan Llanes ·
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, whose retirement is unclear, per Greg Olsen, at Super Bowl 59.
Greg Olsen drops Travis Kelce retirement truth bombAndrew Korpan ·
Patrick Mahomes looking at Jac Caglianone
Patrick Mahomes’ perfect reaction to Royals’ Jac Caglianone callupNathan Yasis ·
Kansas City Chiefs WR Jalen Royals with RB Brashard Smith and a silhouette of an American football player with a big question mark emoji inside. There is also a logo for the Kansas City Chiefs.
3 Kansas City Chiefs hidden gems on 2025 roster you need to knowBen Strauss ·
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid against the Buffalo Bills during the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
1 Kansas City Chiefs player with most to prove at OTAsJaren Kawada ·
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) on the field against the New England Patriots in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium.
Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes names WR who can be among NFL’s ‘best’Douglas Fritz ·

Throughout everyone's response on social media, seemingly everybody was in unison, confused by the NFL's fine for Pacheco.

 

As one X user pointed out, Pacheco's game check for Week 14 against the Chargers on Monday Night Football was just over $50,000. So, the Chiefs running back played this game for under $10,000. Yes, there are more important problems on the planet, but when trying to understand the reasoning behind this massive fine for Pacheco, the league doesn't appear to be using logic in their equation.

And with this becoming such a national story, Pacheco will likely be asked about the fine and how he feels about it.

But, if the running back wants to avoid further fines from the NFL, he'll probably keep it mild when responding.