The NFL rubbed salt into the wound of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady after a wild-card round loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday.
As a result of one questionable play from the veteran signal-caller, Brady’s early playoff exit will also come with a financial penalty.
Brady on Saturday was fined $16,444 for unnecessary roughness, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The fine is rooted from Brady’s attempted a slide tackle on Cowboys safety Malik Hooker after a Buccaneers fumble. And while the officials didn’t take notice of the questionable move, the league certainly did.
Brady’s move garnered some criticism and backlash for what some claimed to be a “dirty” play. It’s not the first time this season either.
Back in Week 5 against the Atlanta Falcons, Brady was fined after what appeared to be a kick attempt on defensive end Grady Jarrett. In that instance, Jarrett was flagged which left the 29-year-old in “disbelief.”
However, Brady wasn’t the only one penalized for an infraction.
With uncertainty centering on Brady’s future, a first-round playoff exit and fine could be the last sight of the 45-year-old. If Brady does elect to return for a 24th season, he’ll turn 46 before Week 1.
