NFL Announces Decision on Baker Mayfield Punishment for Lions Remarks
Posted October 28, 2025
The Detroit Lions had a bye week in Week 8, and that gave them a week to celebrate their 24-9 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on Sunday, October 19. The Week 7 victory was a statement win for the Lions and gave them a strong record of 5-2 going into their week off.
But, the week off also gave people more time to think about some of the things that went down during, and after, the game. NFL games are usually filled with controversy, and that was certainly the case with the the Lions vs. Buccaneers game. Some of the NFL players on the Tampa Bay side weren’t happy with how the refs made calls, and Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield made his thoughts known about it after the game.
“A third down defensive holding call that wasn’t called, and also I’m still pretty damn confused about the double review,” Mayfield said after the game, according to NBC Sports. “A lot of things in that game that were a little questionable.”
He added, “A lot of frustration at the end of that. It might be displaced onto John Hussey in the moment, but I work my… off and I put a lot into this game, so when things I don’t seem are deemed fair, I’m gonna let somebody know.”
Baker Mayfield Gets Final Resolution on Penalty for Detroit Lions Game
The NFL doesn’t like it when players complain about the refs after the game. They often crack down on players and staffers who criticize the officials.
Who can forget when the NFL fined Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes for criticizing the officials following a loss to Bills in 2023? According to the NFL’s official website, “Reid received a $100,000 fine for publicly criticizing the officials, while Mahomes’ $50,000 fine was due to unsportsmanlike conduct for abusive, threatening or insulting language to officials, plus publicly criticizing the referees.”
Every week during the regular NFL season, the league penalizes players for their actions in the previous week’s games. The NFL notes on their website that these actions are “to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity, the NFL and NFL Players Association have agreed on a set of game-related rules violations that may result in accountability measures.”
So, Mayfield certainly could have been fined. But, the NFL has made its final decision, and they didn’t fine him.
Detroit Lions Does Get Punished
However, one Lions play did get fined. In the NFL’s report for Week 7, defensive end Tyrus Wheat was given a $5,722 fine for “unnecessary roughness” and “striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing.” Wheat tripped Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mayfield in the pocket while trying to make a pass. In the game, the refs didn’t call it as a foul against the Detroit Lions and instead gave Wheat the sack.
According to the NFL, those fines will go to the Professional Athletes Foundation to “support legends in need and the NFL Foundation to further support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game.”
The Detroit Lions just ended their NFL bye week, and their next game is against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, November 2. The Minnesota Vikings are in quarterback purgatory right now, which should only help the Lions.
Vikings Receive Strong QB Directive With Trade Deadline Approaching
The Minnesota Vikings are back at the drawing board at quarterback before the trade deadline, with Carson Wentz on injured reserve and J.J. McCarthy making his return from a six-week (five-game) absence due to an ankle injury.
That leaves them with one option in ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter’s estimation.
The Vikings must pursue a trade for a veteran, which adds even more uncertainty to a team that won 14 games in 2024, but is off to a 3-4 start in 2025.
Vikings ‘Have to Add’ Veteran QB
Following Wentz’s injury, McCarthy and rookie undrafted free agent Max Brosmer are the only healthy quarterbacks on the Vikings’ roster as the trade deadline nears. With a veteran-laden roster, featuring star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, the Vikings are expected to act accordingly.
However, Schefter also tamped down expectations for a blockbuster move.
Schefter also pointed out that the Vikings had a plan in place with Wentz before signing him to their roster.
“The Minnesota Vikings are going to have to add a veteran quarterback. I don’t think it’s a high-profile move. But look, when they traded Sam Howell before the season, they had Carson Wentz waiting in the wings,” Schefter told Ty Schmidt on “The Adam Schefter Podcast” on October 28. “
“Two quarterbacks on their roster are J.J. McCarthy and Max Bromer. Two young quarterbacks. Vikings have to add a veteran quarterback at some point in time here, you would think, by the trade deadline. We’ll see what happens there with the Minnesota Vikings.”
The 2025 trade deadline is on November 4 at 4 p.m. ET.
Vikings Face Harsh Truth About QB Room
While Schefter expects more of a minor move, colleague Benjamin Solak suggested that the Vikings trade for Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson, after arguing they are feeling the sting of their decision not to retain Sam Darnold.
“The book is not shut on McCarthy, who has just two starts under his belt. But it’s closing quickly, all while Darnold is shredding in Seattle,” Solak wrote on October 28. “This is just about as bad of a runout as the Vikings could have gotten on their March decision — a much trickier one than many gave it credit for at the time. It could have gone the other way, but it didn’t. And now Minnesota is scrambling for an offensive identity and a return to contention.”
The same could apply to Colts starter Daniel Jones, whose success has made Richardson a potential trade target.
“With Carson Wentz now on season-ending injured reserve, the QB2 job is once again open for grabs in Minnesota — and with it comes a serious opportunity to start,” Solak wrote. “Who will they target.
“What about Richardson, the fourth overall pick from 2023 who never panned out for the Colts?”
Vikings Trade Pitch Lands Colts QB Anthony Richardson Amid Push
Solak also suggested a potential trade package the Vikings could offer to land Richardson, in which Minnesota would send mid-round draft capital to the Colts for the dynamic passer.
Vikings get:
Anthony Richardson
2026 fifth-round draft pick
Colts get:
2026 third-round draft pick
2027 conditional seventh-round draft pick (can become fifth-rounder)
Solak noted that Richardson, who is on injured reserve with an orbital fracture, has similar durability concerns as McCarthy. Richardson would also need Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell to tailor the offense to his skill set.
“I don’t think Richardson would walk in and immediately start,” Solak wrote. “But if McCarthy continues to struggle getting his ankle back to health, then Richardson would get a crack at the starting gig after a week or two of learning the offense. If McCarthy gets back in time, Richardson gives Minnesota another young dart throw at a position where it must hit on a cost-controlled player to keep the rest of the roster paid.”
