NFL's new approach to on-field safety infractions could result in sanctions for coaches, teams

Published August 28, 2026 01:09 PM The NFL’s new approach to on-field safety infractions creates a three-strike formula for player suspensions.The process also extends potential responsibility to coaches and teams.Per a source with knowledge of the situation, fines for position coaches, coordinators, head coaches, and owners are “on the table” in connection with chronic violations by one player of various specific rules (hip-drop tackles, horse-collar tackles, launching, hits on defenseless players, and blindside blocks).There’s no specific equation for determining when, and if, responsibility would extend beyond the player. The fact that it’s now available is appropriate, and overdue.The new procedure also entails the possibility that the position coach, the coordinator, and/or the coach will be required to make with the player any trips to 345 Park Avenue arising from a string of violations. Coaches lose nothing when players are fined for techniques that violate the rules. When the player is flagged, the team loses field position. When the player is suspended, the coach loses the player. But the coach never faces direct accountability.Now, he does. In theory. It’s unclear how it will play out, but the potential exists for direct financial punishment for coaches and teams if a player continues to violate one of the five specific rules that are included in the three-strike formula.