As Rams Bengals tempers ignite, is NFL discipline next?

Most likely outcomes?

This joint practice was held at the convenience and to the benefit of both the LA Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals. As such, the most likely outcome will be some form of a discussion between the two teams, and a negotiated form of discipline that may involve multiple players, and both teams.

So what happened? Well, we know that emotions got the best of players and coaches today. But that is not a unique occurrence during NFL practices.

Since this was a practice between two teams and not an official NFL-sanctioned event, discipline will likely be left to the LA Rams organization. What might that be?

That’s a tough call. Some fans will call on more intense scrutiny of plays that involve Aaron Donald going forward. But that could backfire on their intentions of more punitive repercussions for Donald in the future. After all, we know that Donald is held by an offensive lineman on virtually every play.

To be effective, NFL teams must reach an agreement as to what constitutes a flagrant foul that warrants discipline before conducting joint practices. Then, and only then, is there a fair matter of accountability, and clearly defined penalties for breaking those rules. Right now, any attempt to backfill rules of conduct that were not communicated will fail miserably.

Ultimately, if you want to enforce the rules? So be it. Enforce all of the rules. But if the plan is to look the other way? Then that has to be the standard as well.