The NFL have not shied away from handing out fines to players this season for a number of different trivial issues.
There has been a lot of controversy after players like Kyle Juszczyk were heavily fined for a celebration mimicking him drinking from a can. More recently, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was fined for wearing a certain brand of cleats.
Now, around halfway through the 2026 season, Rob Gronkowski is urging Roger Goodell and the NFL to start punishing some of their officials. There have been numerous poor refereeing performances which have seemingly gone unpunished and Gronkowski wants to see some action taken.
Two officials were dropped just a matter of weeks ago following conduct issues during their respective games. However, Gronkowski believes there are also a number of decisions made by some officials that could warrant punishment from the league.
"There are a lot of terrible pass interference calls. There are a lot of terrible rushing the passer calls, and it's affecting the game. I don't think the referees are doing that great of a job," said Gronkowski.
"I think it would be fair and square to put the referees on a pedestal as well and have punishment, just like any coach or any NFL player can be punished just like that."
Of course, the officials could not be fined to the same extent as the players, given the difference in salaries. Gronkowski does open up the conversation, though, as to whether the referees are held to a high enough standard by the league.
It is clear just how frustrated Gronkowski has grown with some of the refereeing decisions. However, the frustration of the current players and coaches will only be even greater.
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