NFL Announces Fine for Eagles Star CB Quinyon Mitchell After Clash With Buccaneers’ Tristan Wirfs
The Eagles’ 31-25 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers featured a heated first-quarter altercation that has now drawn league-wide attention. Star cornerback Quinyon Mitchell found himself at the center of Sunday night’s controversy.
Mitchell, weighing 193 pounds, confronted Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs, who checks in at 320 pounds, after a play. The two squared up on the field, forcing officials and teammates to quickly intervene before it escalated further.
On Monday, the NFL announced Mitchell had been fined $12,034 and flagged 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct. The ruling immediately raised eyebrows, with critics questioning why no Buccaneers players were disciplined.
Quinyon Mitchell on demon time trying Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/WtHfC3j5Rv
— Theconnectsport (@theconnectsport) September 28, 2025
Video footage showed quarterback Baker Mayfield trash-talking before the clash, appearing to instigate the confrontation. Despite this, Mayfield escaped punishment, fueling frustration among Eagles fans and analysts who called the officiating “unfair.”
Many highlighted the weight differential, arguing Mitchell wasn’t seeking a physical advantage against Wirfs. Instead, the Pro Bowl-level CB appeared provoked into reacting, yet the league punished only one side of the altercation.
NFL officials defended the decision, stating Mitchell “escalated a non-football confrontation.” Still, the lack of accountability for Mayfield sparked debate about selective enforcement and possible favoritism toward star quarterbacks.
Inside the Eagles’ locker room, teammates rallied around Mitchell. Head coach Nick Sirianni avoided direct criticism but admitted:
“It wasn’t handled the way we hoped. We’ll continue to back our guy.”
For Mitchell, the fine underscores the scrutiny that comes with stardom. His passion and intensity stand out, but Sunday’s incident shows how quickly the NFL spotlight can turn even a leader’s fire into controversy.
SHOCKING RUMORS: Pittsburgh Steelers Consider $56 Million Wide Receiver Amid Calvin Austin III Injury—Could This Be The Game-Changing Move They Need?
Veteran wide receiver Curtis Samuel played in just his first game of the 2025 NFL season for the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. He appeared on the field for 20 offensive snaps and five special teams snaps during the Week 4 matchup versus the New Orleans Saints.
Samuel could have a much greater opportunity for more playing time with the Pittsburgh Steelers. For that reason, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler suggested the possibility of the Steelers pursuing a trade for Samuel before the NFL trade deadline.
“The Steelers could have one more move in them, and I’d be willing to bet they’d at least have a conversation on Tyreek Hill if Miami engaged,” Fowler wrote. “Curtis Samuel is also a healthy scratch in Buffalo despite making $7.4 million this season.”
Pundits have previously linked the Steelers to Hill. However, the Miami Dolphins receiver suffered a dislocated knee on Monday Night Football in Week 4.
If the Steelers are going to acquire a wideout before the trade deadline, they will have to pursue other possibilities. Samuel is one of the more intriguing ones potential available.
According to Spotrac, Samuel has earned about $56.9 million in his nine-year NFL career.
Calvin Austin III Injury Could Gives Steelers Urgency to Add WR
Fowler made his argument about Samuel as a Steelers target last Wednesday. So, Fowler didn’t loosely connect Samuel to Pittsburgh because of Calvin Austin’s injury.
Austin suffered a shoulder ailment during Week 4 in Dublin. He left in the fourth quarter and received treatment at the hospital in Ireland.
But while Fowler didn’t name Samuel a replacement for Austin, the Steelers’ need for a receiver only increases if Austin has to miss time. According to The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac, that’s likely to happen.
On Monday, Dulac reported Austin will miss “several weeks” because of his should injury. ESPN’s Brooke Pryor reported Sunday that she saw Austin’s arm in a sling after the victory against the Minnesota Vikings.
Austin has 10 of the last 11 games for the Steelers, including the playoffs, dating back to last season. In four contests this year, Austin has posted 10 catches, 139 yards and two touchdowns.
The 26-year-old averaged 15.2 yards per catch with 26 receptions and 548 receiving yards during 2024.
What WR Curtis Samuel Could Bring Steelers
Samuel never really lived up to his second-round billing. The Carolina Panthers selected him at No. 40 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft.
But Samuel has put together a decent NFL campaign over nine seasons. He’s eclipsed the 600-yards mark four times. In 2020, he registered a career-high 77 catches for 851 receiving yards.
He’s not likely to return to the production he had five years ago. In 2024, Samuel 31 catches for 253 yards and a touchdown in 14 games.
This season, he has one catch for nine yards in his infrequent playing time.
But with Samuel, the Steelers would be adding a proven commodity with some upside.
Behind Austin on their current depth chart, the Steelers have the inexperienced Roman Wilson and veterans Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek. None of those three inspire a lot of confidence as a starter opposite DK Metcalf.
Samuel isn’t necessarily a great option either. But he could help replace Austin until the starter returns.
