With only five days until Week 1, when the Bears will face the Carolina Panthers, officials wrapped up the preseason and handed down multiple fines for plays that occurred over the three-week slate. Among the disciplinary actions, one incident stood out to Bears fans: a hip-drop tackle on Bears tight end Colston Loveland by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Shaka Heyward during the second preseason game. The play drew widespread criticism for its potential to cause serious injury, and officials had not flagged it at the time. The NFL ultimately fined Heyward $5,972 for the hip-drop tackle.
The other notable preseason penalty involved a different team. In the preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns, Browns right tackle Tytus Howard committed a leg-tripping foul against Bears defender Dayo Odeyingbo. This incident drew a 15-yard penalty on the field, and Howard received a fine of $12,537, the largest preseason fine issued.
Beyond these specific cases, the NFL and the NFL Players Association have announced a broader emphasis for the upcoming season on several key penalties. Five penalties are being focused on to improve safety and gameplay: the hip-drop tackle, horse collar tackles, launching, hits on defenseless players, and blindside blocks.
Under the new policy, a player who commits three offenses in any one of these categories during the season will be suspended for one game. For hip-drop tackles, the first offense carries a fine of $17,911 and the second offense carries a fine of $23,882. These enhanced penalties underscore the league’s goal of reducing dangerous plays and protecting players on the field.
Officials note that only a small number of hip-drop tackles were flagged in the previous season, highlighting the ongoing need for stricter enforcement. A 15-yard penalty alone may not be sufficient to deter risky tackling techniques, and the new fines and potential suspensions are designed to encourage safer play.
As the Bears get ready for Week 1, attention will also turn to how official calls evolve this season, especially on plays involving potential hip-drop tackles and other high-risk maneuvers. While preseason fines may be in the rearview, the impact of these rules and penalties will be felt throughout the regular season as teams strive to stay competitive while prioritizing player safety.
Note: The article above focuses on factual disciplinary actions from the preseason and the NFL’s new emphasis on specific penalties for the 2026 season. It omits unrelated promotional material and source references and presents a clear overview of the events and policy changes affecting the Bears and the league at large.
