There was plenty for Dan Campbell to be upset about during the Detroit Lions–Kansas City Chiefs game in Week 6. But defensive back Brian Branch added another item to Campbell’s list right after the game.
Cameras caught Branch delivering a punch on Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster at the conclusion of Sunday Night Football. That led to a skirmish between the two teams on the field immediately after the game ended.
Campbell made clear in his postgame press conference that he didn’t support Branch’s postgame actions.
“Let me start with this,” Campbell told reporters. “I love Brian Branch, but what he did is inexcusable and it’s not going to be accepted here. It’s not what we do, it’s not what we’re about.
“I apologized to coach [Andy] Reid and the Chiefs and [JuJu Smith-]Schuster. That’s not OK. That’s not what we do here, and it’s not gonna be OK. He knows it, our team knows it. That’s not what we do.”
Branch delivered his punch on the receiver after the Chiefs wideout appeared to offer his hand for a postgame handshake. Branch also didn’t accept a handshake from Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes just before the incident with Smith-Schuster.
Dan Campbell Delivers Clear Message on Brian Branch Punch
Football can be a frustrating game. But clearly, Branch crossed the line following Detroit’s loss at Kansas City.
It’s rare for head coaches and teammates not to support the players on their team. But Branch was so far over the line that, quite frankly, it would have been inexcusable to defend him.
Branch’s punch could come with significant ramifications.
“If the league fines Branch for fighting, the standard amount for a first offense is north of $40,000,” Heavy Sports’ Max Dible wrote. “The standard fine for a second offense is more than $80,000, per NFL.com. The NFL typically makes fine amounts public on the Saturday following an incident.”
Branch has never fought during or after an NFL game previously, but he has a long history of financial punishment in the league. Branch has received 13 fines equally about $180,000 in three NFL seasons.
The Lions defensive back could face a suspension over the incident. In 2021, the league suspended former Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Trysten Hill for two games after he started a fight with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Detroit was missing five of its top six cornerbacks for Sunday’s matchup against the Chiefs. Losing Branch for any amount of time would be extremely detrimental for the Lions defense.
Patrick Mahomes Responds to Branch Punch
After Branch’s punch, Mahomes was briefly involved in the melee before Chiefs players pulled him out of it. The quarterback didn’t appear pleased with the Branch’s lack of sportsmanship.
Mahomes expressed that feeling during his postgame interview on Peacock.
“We play the game between the whistles,” Mahomes told NBC reporter Melissa Stark.
The Lions and Chiefs don’t play each other often. Sunday night was their first matchup since 2023. They won’t square off again in the regular season until 2027.
So, it will be awhile before Branch and Mahomes see each other again. Unless, of course, the two teams meet in the Super Bowl.
Lions’ Dan Campbell Sounds Off on Brian Branch Punch in Chiefs Postgame Melee