Touchdown celebrations are supposed to be the best part of the game, but for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they just became the most expensive. After a crucial Week 13 victory, the league office sent a loud message to the locker room, hitting two offensive stars with significant fines for a moment of joy.
Now, Baker Mayfield and Bucky Irving are paying the price for a handshake that the NFL deemed unacceptable.
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Why Did the NFL Fine Baker Mayfield and Bucky Irving?
According to reporter Greg Auman, the league slapped both players with fines for a “violent gesture.” Irving, who stepped back onto the field for the first time since Sept. 28, quickly got a harsh welcome back to active duty. The league office is cracking down on on-field conduct, and this specific interaction crossed their line, resulting in a combined bill of over $20,000 for the backfield duo.
The incident occurred after Irving found the end zone for his first rushing score of the 2025 campaign. The 23-year-old running back powered through for a 13-yard touchdown late in the third quarter, extending Tampa Bay’s lead to 17-3 over the Arizona Cardinals. After crossing the goal line and tossing the football into the stands, Irving celebrated with his quarterback.
The pair executed a handshake that ended with a specific gesture, which the NFL reviews flagged. Despite performing the exact same action, the financial penalties looked drastically different. Mayfield received a $14,491 fine, while Irving was docked just $6,349. It is a steep price to pay for a brief moment of camaraderie.
Baker Mayfield and Bucky Irving were both fined by the NFL for “violent gesture”
— 📸 (@archive1517) December 6, 2025
After sitting out for nearly two months, Irving made his presence felt immediately. He carried the ball 17 times for 61 yards and chipped in with two catches for 20 yards. While the passing game didn’t feature him as heavily, his ground production helped stabilize an offense led by a banged-up Mayfield.
The quarterback, still waiting for two top receivers to return, holds a C- grade in PFSN’s QB Impact Metric. Although he has cooled off since being an early-season MVP favorite, Mayfield did enough to guide the Bucs to a three-point win, snapping a frustrating three-game losing streak.
This victory keeps Tampa Bay alive in a tight divisional race. The NFC South crown will likely come down to the wire, specifically when the Bucs face the Carolina Panthers twice in three weeks.
Those matchups are set to determine the division winner. The runner-up faces a brutal road to the playoffs, as the NFC field remains incredibly stacked.