The Kansas City Chiefs will look to get back in the win column when they face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The Chiefs suffered their first loss of the 2024 season against the Buffalo Bills in Week 11. In the loss, quarterback Patrick Mahomes had one of his worst performances of the season, finishing with 196 passing yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

To add on to the loss and the rough performance, the NFL is now fining Mahomes $14,069 for a “violent gesture” that he made in the fourth quarter. The gesture that resulted in the fine occurred after Mahomes found tight end Noah Gray for a touchdown pass. After the play, Mahomes celebrated with hand gestures that the NFL determined was a mimic of using guns. The NFL fined #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes $14,069 for unsportsmanlike conduct (violent gesture) as he celebrated a touchdown pass last week in Buffalo … pic.twitter.com/dXgnmYJSYp

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 23, 2024 Although the gesture was overall quite tame, and Mahomes clearly did not intend to promote violence, the league has made it clear that they do not stand for any gun-related celebrations. Earlier in the season, the league fined New York Jets receiver Allen Lazard for a very similar gun gesture celebration.

Although $14,069 is quite a large sum, it likely won’t have much of an impact on Mahomes with how much he makes from his contract and endorsement deals. This move by the NFL also makes it clear that the league is not afraid to make an example out of their biggest stars.

On Sunday, Mahomes and the Chiefs will likely be more focused on simply leaving Carolina with a win to avoid suffering their second-straight loss.