ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Joe Andreessen made the second tackle of his NFL career last Sunday in Seattle. Now he's received his first NFL fine.
The NFL fined the undrafted rookie free agent $4,421 for unnecessary roughness following the Buffalo Bills' 31-10 road victory against the Seahawks in Week 8. While he was not flagged, the NFL fined him for "use of the helmet."
The play happened late in the third quarter, moments after the Bills extended their lead to 24-3 on a James Cook touchdown run. Andreessen made a tackle on the ensuing kickoff, stopping Laviska Shenault Jr. at the Seattle 25.
Andreessen might receive some help in paying that fine, though.
"DM me Joe’s info and I’ll pay the fine for him….can’t be taking money away from Mr. Buffalo," Ryan Fitzpatrick posted to X following news of the fine.
Three Seahawks also drew fines from that game on Sunday: linebacker Derick Hall for unnecessary roughness (late hit), $11,510; quarterback Geno Smith for unsportsmanlike conduct (taunting), $11,255; and cornerback Tariq Woolen for unsportsmanlike conduct (taunting), $5,934.
Andreessen played high school football in Lancaster, spent five years at Bryant University, then played at UB in 2023 as a graduate student. But what really caught the attention of local sports fans was his rise up the depth chart with the Bills during the spring and then in training camp.
The NFL announces player fines each Saturday afternoon during the regular season. This week, there were 23 plays resulting in fines for on-field discipline during 2,383 total plays.
Bills fines from the NFL this season include:
- Week 1, O'Cyrus Torrence, unnecessary roughness (facemask), $7,855
- Week 4, Dawuane Smoot, unnecessary roughness (striking/kicking/kneeing), $8,156
- Week 6, Dion Dawkins, unsportsmanlike conduct (taunting), $11,255
- Week 6, Taron Johnson, unnecessary roughness (low block), $11,817
- Week 7, Taron Johnson, unnecessary roughness (hit on a defenseless player), $16,883
- Week 8, Joe Andreessen, unnecessary roughness (use of the helmet), $4,421