NFL joint practices have become scenes of frequent altercations. This issue was highlighted on Thursday during a practice between the Miami Dolphins and New York Giants. The scuffle involved multiple players and reportedly featured someone attempting to strike quarterback Jameis Winston.
Jaxson Dart, the Giants starting quarterback, joined the fray, explaining, “I just looked over and saw the red 19 jersey (Winston) and thought, ‘I got to go help my boy.’”
A recent massive brawl occurred during the New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys practice. It included punches and wrestling moves. In response, the NFL fined both teams $500,000. This occurred following a serious altercation during their practice on August 18, 2026.
The NFL has emphasized sportsmanship, including behavior during joint practices. Despite the fines, altercations persist during joint practices, indicating the need for further action regarding player conduct.
The New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers clashed on August 11. The Jaguars and Saints had a skirmish on August 13. The Cowboys and Saints’ infamous August 18 brawl resulted in fines. Jaguars and Panthers’ practices were also marked by multiple altercations.
Head coach of the Patriots, Mike Vrabel, expressed his disapproval of these incidents, stating, “I don’t want anybody fighting… They get thrown out of the game when those things happen.” Unfortunately, scuffles persisted, including during the Bears and Bengals practice.
In Miami Gardens, Dolphins and Giants’ practice saw players removed for throwing punches, affecting both teams. The removal of players, while intended to de-escalate tensions, often provides a reprieve for the involved players instead of a punishment.
Fining the clubs might not influence individual players’ behavior. While fines are imposed on teams, players remain unaffected as they are not financially responsible.
The solution requires imposing fines directly on players for misconduct during these joint practices. Regular-season and preseason games discourage players from fighting due to direct financial consequences. Currently, player conduct during joint practices lacks similar enforcement.
The NFL’s fine against teams is a step forward, but players may continue to engage in practice skirmishes until personal fines are implemented.
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