NFL Announces Punishment for Cooper DeJean, Eagles DE for Week 4 Actions
The NFL officially docked Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean for what Fox Sports’ play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt jokingly — yet somewhat accurately — referred to as an “Allen Iverson step-over” in the Eagles’ Week 4 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
DeJean was flagged for taunting after he tackled Bucs running back Rachaad White early in Philadelphia’s 31–25 win. The flag came in the first quarter when DeJean stood over White and stared him down after the play. It was enough to trigger the league’s renewed emphasis on sportsmanship and, a few days later, the second-year cornerback was hit with a $11,593 fine.
During the telecast, Burkhardt’s partner in the booth, NFL legend Tom Brady, noted he’d had his fair share of defenders stand over him after throwing him to the ground or sacking him during his QB days. Brady also joked he often wished he could have reached out and hit those same guys “where the sun don’t shine.”
If you’re wondering why the number of the fine is so specific, that’s because taunting fines are standardized in the NFL. Players are hit with a $11,593 fine for their first offense and $17,389 for a second. Those receiving fines are allowed to appeal. The NFL posts weekly accountability summaries and the fine schedule itself, which spells out the amounts and the appeals process. The money accrued from these fines is given to league-supported charitable programs.
Cooper DeJean Not the Only Eagles Player Fined vs. the Buccaneers
Emilee Chinn | GettyBoth Eagles DB Cooper DeJean and DE Jalyx Hunt were hit with fines by the NFL for violations Week 4.
The discipline doled out by the league after after Week 4 didn’t stop with DeJean. Edge rusher Jalyx Hunt was also fined—twice—drawing fines of $6,834 each for a first-quarter blindside block and a third-quarter hip-drop tackle.
The blindside block was flagged on the field; the hip-drop fine was assessed and doled out after review. Tampa Bay, notably, didn’t receive any fines from the game.
The fine arrives amid a fast start to DeJean’s second NFL season. Through four games of 2025, he’s started every week and already logged 31 combined tackles with three pass breakups. The young DB brings a definite spark-plug energy, and his competitive nature may have played a part in why he was flagged in the first place. You can check out the play he was flagged on below:
DeJean Picking Up Where He Left Off This Season
His rookie year (2024) DeJean appeared in 16 games with nine starts and, remarkably, didn’t allow a touchdown in coverage while finishing as an AP Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist.
He also doubled as a return man on special teams, returning 21 punts for 211 yards, often flipping field position when the offense needed a jolt.
His signature moment — at least so far — came on his 22nd birthday in Super Bowl 59, when he jumped a Patrick Mahomes throw and took it 38 yards to the house, becoming the first player ever to score a Super Bowl touchdown on his birthday. That sequence did plenty to elevate his profile around the league.
The young corner is so versatile, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and company cross-trained him at safety, where he took snaps during camp practices this past summer.
“I’ve definitely gotten more comfortable,” DeJean said about safety, via the Philly Voice. “It took a few practices to get comfortable back there, to understand how much space you’re working with, reading run-pass from a different perspective. Took a few practices, but I’m definitely definitely starting to feel more comfortable at that position.”
He’s still at corner now, but having players with the type of malleability DeJean has is never a bad thing. He may just need to cool it with the Allen Iverson imitations.a
Seahawks fans get some great news from early-season rookie rankings
Seattle Seahawks' general manager John Schneider began a major reconstruction of his offense early this offseason when he dealt away quarterback Geno Smith and wide receiver DK Metcalf, and allowed franchise legend Tyler Lockett to depart via free agency. Those players constituted a significant part of the Seahawks’ offensive identity.
A little more under the radar, Schneider made no effort to re-sign free agent left guard Laken Tomlinson, who had been one of the steadier performers on a beleaguered offensive line. With the 18th pick in the draft, Schneider may have figured he could find a younger upgrade at the position.
According to NFL.com’s Gennaro Felice, it was a smart decision. Felice recently published his ranking of the best rookies in the NFL after the first four weeks of the 2025 season. Seahawks’ first-round pick Grey Zabel placed seventh on the list. He was the highest-ranked of the seven offensive linemen singled out by Felice.
Grey Zabel has done exactly what the Seattle Seahawks hoped he would do
Zabel stepped in at left guard from day one and has never looked back. It is obvious he still has a lot of room to improve. He will get physically stronger, and he will learn the nuances of the game. But if his early performance is any indication, Zabel will be an anchor on the offensive line for many years to come.
As Felice points out, Zabel has played all of Seattle’s 240 offensive snaps this season. Right tackle Abraham Lucas is the only other Seahawk to play every snap. He has surrendered zero sacks and committed zero penalties.
As a point of comparison, the veteran Tomlinson, now in Houston, has played far fewer snaps and has given up two sacks while committing one penalty.
The results have been obvious on the field. Zabel is one of two new starters on the offensive line. He is now playing left guard next to his college teammate Jalen Sundell, who has been starting at center. The rest of the line, which was considered a major weakness on last year’s team, is intact.
Through four weeks, the Hawks have improved their yards per play from 14th in the league last year (5.5 yards) to 8th this year (5.7). What makes that even more impressive is that they are much better balanced this year. They are running more.
Last year, they struggled to open holes for Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet. Geno Smith was forced to throw more. That makes an increase in yards-per-play an even more significant factor since a team’s passing yardage is almost always higher than its rushing output.
Seattle is currently 18th in the league in rushing and is still looking to improve on that number. But they finished last season ranked 28th in rushing, so the metamorphosis appears to be well underway.
Zabel has not merely helped improve the running game. Last season, Geno Smith was sacked the third-most times in the entire league. That is partly because Seattle’s ineffective running attack forced them to throw more, and partly because their offensive coordinator never seemed to commit to running the ball in the first place.
But it was mainly due to injury (Lucas missed much of the year) and poor play (aside from left tackle Charles Cross, the line simply didn’t protect very well).
Through four games, with Lucas healthy and Zabel on the inside, Seattle is tied for sixth in fewest sacks allowed. That is not all attributable to Zabel, but he has been a key factor in the improvement.
The most encouraging thing about Zabel’s early performance is that he will continue to get better. Playing next to Cross, it shouldn’t be long before Seattle has one of the best left sides in the entire league.
After whiffing on several recent offensive line draft picks, Schneider needed to hit big on this year’s first-rounder. Fortunately, it appears he did just that.
