Every Saturday during the NFL season, we learn about fines handed out for the previous week’s actions. On Saturday, the NFL handed out a big fine that particularly interested Washington Commanders fans. The NFL fined San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner a total of $65,673 for two infractions in Monday’s 23-17 49ers win.
Both fines resulted from Warner’s hits on Commanders tight end Chig Okonkwo—both in the fourth quarter. The first came with about 14 minutes remaining. After Okonkwo caught a short pass from quarterback Jayden Daniels, Warner launched himself at Okonkwo. Officials initially threw a flag on one, but incorrectly picked it up. Had the penalty stood, Washington would’ve had a first down at its 38-yard line. However, the Commanders would score
a touchdown on this drive, with Daniels finding running back Rachaad White for a nine-yard touchdown to make it 23-17. So, you can’t really say this flag impacted the game.
It impacted Warner’s wallet, though, as this one cost him $17,911 for a hit on a defenseless player. During the game, the ESPN announcing crew said the officials shouldn’t have picked up the flag.
Here’s that play:
FRED WARNER BOOOOM pic.twitter.com/zYqLOCgBNf
— wok (@wokdior) October 20, 2026
The other fine was far more costly—Warner was fined $47,762 for using his helmet to initiate contact.
It came with about seven minutes remaining after Okonkwo made a three-yard catch. Had officials thrown the flag, the Commanders would have gotten a first down and a fresh set of downs at Washington’s 43-yard line. The drive ended with a turnover on downs when quarterback Jayden Daniels’ pass to Treylon Burks was broken up in the end zone.
Here is the second hit:
#49ers LB Fred Warner was fined $65,673 for two instances against the #Commanders — $17,911 for a hit on TE Chig Okonkwo (flag was thrown then picked up, with ESPN broadcast saying it should’ve stayed a penalty) and $47,762 for use of the helmet here that wasn’t flagged. pic.twitter.com/fxkApK6gLQ
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 24, 2026
It’s hard to say whether either play affected the game’s outcome. The Commanders had their chances. We know the first one didn’t, as they eventually scored a touchdown. But the second could have changed how Washington called plays. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter, but it doesn’t help fans, or their perception, that the Commanders are on the wrong end of these calls far too often this season.
The NFL proved with these fines that its officials got it wrong—again—on Monday night.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: NFL fines 49ers star Fred Warner, proving its officials blew it against Commanders
