Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Cedric Johnson was fined $5,525 by the NFL for hitting Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the head during Cincinnati’s Week 18 loss to the Browns.

Johnson’s hit on Sanders, which occurred during the second quarter of the Bengals’ 20-18 defeat to Cleveland, was described as a “blow to the head/neck” by the league. Johnson was flagged on the play for roughing the passer, turning a seven-yard completion into a 22-yard gain for the Browns.

The “hit” in question was Johnson’s hands collapsing down on the front of Sanders’ helmet after he attempted to get in the way of the rookie QB’s throw to running back Raheim Sanders.

About 10% of Johnson’s final game check of the season was docked for the play, but Cincinnati players can take solace in the fact that the NFL hasn’t been overly-eager to fine the Bengals this past year.

Only five Bengals players were fined in 2025

Johnson was the fifth and final Bengals player to be fined by the NFL for an in-game act during the 2025 season.

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DE Joseph Ossai was the first to be fined in Week 2 for a facemask penalty. Guard Dalton Risner was then fined in Week 6 for a leg whip penatly, and then eight games went by before safety Jordan Battle was fined two weeks in a row, first for hit on the defenseless player, and then for use of the helmet.

Ossai’s fine of $11,593 was the largest of the five despite it being his first fine in his five-year career. It cost him roughly 7% of his game check.

While Ossai will look to sign what should be the largest contract of his career as a free agent this offseason, Johnson is locked in for a salary agreed-upon back in 2024 after he was drafted. He’ll just have to wait eight months before he can start earning again after he ended the year costing himself.

Related: 2 Bengals with uncertain futures collect some extra cash Cincinnati made them earn

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This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Jan 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.