Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Brandon Smith was fined by the NFL for a post-play incident against the New Orleans Saints in Week 7.
Washington was fined $4,916 for unnecessary roughness (use of the helmet) during the Steelers' 16-10 win over the Saints. As a practice squad elevation, Smith only earned a little over $52,000 for the game, meaning he was fined 9.4% of his paycheck.
Smith was also given a personal foul penalty for the post-play skirmish between him and New Orleans Saints cornerback Marvin Emerson on Sunday. Smith was blocking Emerson on a Pittsburgh run play. The players pushed one another after the whistle, and then Smith got into Emerson's face, bumping their facemasks together.
Smith is the sixth Steelers player to be fined this season. Linebacker Payton Wilson was fined for a fourth-quarter facemask penalty in Week 2's 20-3 loss to the New England Patriots. Linebacker Cole Holcomb was fined for a blindside block in the opening kickoff against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3. Wide receiver DK Metcalf was fined for taunting in Week 4. Linebacker Patrick Queen was fined for a hit on a defenseless player in Week 6. In addition to Smith, tight end Darnell Washington was also fined for his actions against the Saints.
The Steelers have been one of the most-fined teams in the league in each of the last three seasons.
The Steelers were the second-most fined NFL team in 2025 , racking up $749,747 in fines, over 18 total infractions according to date from The Action Network. Only the Washington Commanders were fined more. They were the third-most fined team in the NFL during the 2024 season, and were the most-fined team in the NFL in 2023 , with fines totaling $478,091.
Smith was also signed from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Saturday.
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