NFL Fines Bears DE Booker $46,371 for Helmet Hit on Love

The NFL has fined Chicago Bears defensive end Austin Booker $46,371 for unnecessary roughness after he used his helmet in a hit on Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love during the second quarter of the Bears' 31-27 Wild Card playoff victory last Saturday at Soldier Field.

The incident occurred with 9:40 remaining in the half, as Booker sacked Love for a one-yard loss at the Bears' 29-yard line. Officials flagged Booker for illegal helmet-to-helmet contact, but the Packers capitalized on the drive, with Love connecting on an 18-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jayden Reed to extend their lead to 14-3. The fine, announced Tuesday by the league's office of gameday accountability, represents the largest penalty issued to any player from the opening playoff weekend and the biggest for the Bears this season. Booker, a 23-year-old in his second NFL year, has the right to appeal but faces no suspension and is expected to play in Chicago's divisional round matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at Soldier Field.

This marks the third time the league has disciplined Booker for hits on Love during the 2025 season, doubling the standard $23,186 fine for a first-time...