The NFL fined the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints $500,000 apiece after multiple fights broke out during their joint practice on Tuesday. The session unraveled once the two teams split off to work against each other on offense and defense, with punches thrown on both fields and officials forced to stop practice several times.
Saints offensive players and Cowboys defenders ran across the field to get involved as things escalated. One player threw his helmet during a scuffle, and another was body-slammed to the ground.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer and Saints coach Kellen Moore discussed cutting the practice short but ultimately let it run to its scheduled end. The league saw it differently.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
In handing down the fines, the NFL pointed to its longstanding emphasis on sportsmanship, an area the Competition Committee has prioritized repeatedly, including specifically around joint practices.
Teams were reminded of that expectation again this summer before preseason work began. The code of conduct sent to all 32 teams ahead of joint practices has since come to light, laying out what coaches, players and game officials are expected to review before any session begins, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The memo makes clear that head coaches are not exempt from accountability. The league can hold them responsible for violations since they control the pace, intensity and overall management of their practices.
Among its points, the memo states that teams are expected to strike a balance between competitiveness and safety, keeping drills and team periods within the bounds of the CBA.
Both sides are also expected to agree on tempo and sportsmanship expectations before taking the field together.
Fighting draws particular attention in the memo. Teams must remind players and staff that fights or unprofessional conduct will not be tolerated, with individual players subject to fines and clubs facing fines or the loss of a practice depending on the severity of an incident.
The league office also reserves the right to step in when unsportsmanlike conduct results in injury or creates a serious risk of one. Penalties in those cases can include fines, suspensions, changes in draft position, loss of draft picks and other competitive consequences.
Whether the Cowboys and Saints face any further consequences beyond Tuesday’s fines remains to be seen as both teams continue preparing for the 2026 season.
