Vikings' Byron Murphy Jr. fined $11K for taunting against Seahawks

Murphy stood over Seattle receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba after a key incompletion.

Nov 3, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) celebrates his interception against the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. / Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. was fined $11,255 for taunting in last Sunday's game against the Seahawks. After a big incompletion in the third quarter, Murphy stood over Seattle wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and looked down at him for a brief moment. He was not flagged in real time.

Minnesota Vikings CB Byron Murphy Jr. was fined $11,255 for taunting in the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks pic.twitter.com/4aLKwiHGBy

— Tyler Forness (@TheRealForno) December 28, 2024

Byron Murphy (Vikings) got fined for taunting Jaxon Smith-Njigba on what was a pretty big 3rd down stop in the 3rd quarter of the Seahawks game.

No penalty called at the time, which would've been 15 yards. pic.twitter.com/XiQfUpmHhs

— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) December 28, 2024

These are the six categories of misconduct that can draw fines from the NFL, as outlined in the CBA (via Sportico):

1. Offense against a game official
2. Player safety rules
3. Fighting
4. Sportsmanship
5. Uniform
6. Gang signing

Murphy's offense would fall under the sportsmanship category, although a fine for a very slight taunt that didn't get penalized at the time feels a little unnecessary.

Murphy has an $8.3 million base salary this year and $27 million in career earnings, so he'll be OK, but no one enjoys losing money. The fine money doesn't go to the league, it goes to the NFLPA Players Assistance Trust — which helps former players — and various charitable organizations.

In his sixth NFL season, Murphy has enjoyed a career year. The Vikings' top cornerback has a team-high six interceptions, 13 total passes defended, a forced fumble, and five tackles for loss. Murphy, who turns 27 in a few weeks, is setting himself for a big-time payday in free agency this spring.

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