Pittsburgh Steelers receiver DK Metcalf is facing a punishment from the NFL for a “violent gesture” during week 13.
The league announced Saturday that Metcalf was fined $14,491 for unsportsmanlike conduct/violent gesture during the second quarter with 8:12 remaining against the Buffalo Bills.
It wasn’t immediately clear what the gesture was as Alan Saunders of Steelers Now said on X that Metcalf gave a “too small” gesture after Jaylen Warren ran for a touchdown at the time the NFL noted in the fine. But another X user also posted a video of Metcalf giving a “finger gun” salute to someone.
In March 2025, the NFL updated its official list of unsportsmanlike conduct acts to include several gestures, joining other prohibited actions such as throat slashes, simulated firing or brandishing a gun, the “nose wipe,” and sexually suggestive acts.
Several Fines From Bills-Steelers Contest
The NFL also announced several fines from the game. Cameron Heyward was fined $11,593 for unsportsmanlike conduct/taunting midway through the third quarter (8:53 remaining). Payton Wilson received two separate fines—$7,066 for unnecessary roughness late in the second quarter (0:51 remaining) and another $7,066 for unnecessary roughness/blindside block early in the third (14:44 remaining).
Two Bills players were also disciplined. Gabe Davis was fined $6,500 for unnecessary roughness/use of the helmet with 1:04 left in the second quarter, while A.J. Epenesa was fined $11,593 for unsportsmanlike conduct/taunting at the 13:57 mark of the third quarter.
The Bills (8–4) defeated the Steelers (6–6) by a score of 26–7.
Is Mike Tomlin on the Hot Seat?
There are calls every year for Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin to step down or for the front office to make a change, but this year, those calls seem to be getting louder.
The Super Bowl-winning coach has never recorded a losing season since he became the Steelers head coach in 2007.
The 53-year-old signed a three-year extension last year that keeps him under contract through the 2027 season. He has led the Steelers since 2007, and the franchise hasn’t fired a head coach since 1941—a trend that doesn’t appear likely to change after this season.
Tomlin has a career regular season record of 189-113 and a postseason record of 8-11. He led the Steelers to a Super Bowl victory in 2009, defeating the Arizona Cardinals. The Steelers returned to the Super Bowl two years later but lost to his future quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay Packers.
Despite the the record of success, that didn’t stop former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger from floating a scenario in which Tomlin could depart.
“Maybe a fresh start for him is what’s best,” Roethlisberger said on his podcast earlier this week. “Whether that’s in the pros, maybe go be Penn State’s head coach. You know what he would do in Penn State? He would probably go win national championships, because he’s a great recruiter.”
Penn State—the first major college football job to open this cycle—somehow remains vacant after being turned down by multiple coaching candidates.
Tomlin and the Steelers will face the Ravens (6-6) in Baltimore Sunday in a battle for sole possession of first place in the AFC North.
NFL Announces Punishment for Pittsburgh Steelers Star After Unclear ‘Violent Gesture’