Eagles Newcomer Fined $10K for Energy Drink Shoot on Off-Day Before Browns Game

Philadelphia, PA – August 16, 2025 –
The Philadelphia Eagles have made waves just days before their preseason matchup with the Cleveland Browns after handing down a hefty fine to a veteran newcomer for an off-day decision that didn’t sit well with team leadership.

Team officials confirmed the penalty followed a non-football commercial commitment scheduled less than 48 hours before kickoff. While permitted under league rules, the move was deemed to conflict with the franchise’s strict preparation culture.

The timing of the event — so close to game day — drew immediate attention from coaches and players. In a program that prides itself on laser focus, any deviation from the routine can be seen as undermining readiness.

"When you wear the midnight green of the Eagles, every decision you make must serve one purpose — victory. An off-day isn’t for chasing the spotlight, it’s for being ready to give everything on game day," Head Coach Nick Sirianni told reporters.

The player at the center of the issue, A.J. Dillon, reportedly spent much of his day participating in a commercial shoot for a popular energy drink brand at a Philadelphia studio. The team viewed the commitment as a distraction from recovery and film study.

The Eagles have long discouraged commercial work during the critical 72-hour period leading up to a game, believing that mental sharpness and physical readiness peak only when players are fully locked in.

Dillon is still expected to see action against the Browns, but the incident has placed him in the spotlight for reasons unrelated to football. Coaches are said to be watching his on-field response closely.

With a demanding season ahead, Eagles fans will be watching too — hoping this early misstep becomes a one-time headline rather than a recurring theme in the running back’s Philadelphia tenure.