Bears DE Austin Booker Fined for Controversial Hit on Packers QB Jordan Love

Austin Booker, who earns a little over $1 million/year through his rookie Packers deal, has to pay 16k for sending Packers Jordan Love to the Concussion Protocol.

Bears DE Austin Booker Fined for Controversial Hit on Packers QB Jordan Love

Austin Booker fined for helmet to helmet tackle on Packers QB Jordan Love (Image via IMAGO)

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Austin Booker found out his punishment for putting Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love on concussion protocol. The NFL fined Booker $5,818 ahead of the Chicago Bears’ trip to San Francisco.

At least Booker will be able to attend the 49ers game, but the same cannot be said for Love. The Packers placed the 27-year-old on concussion protocol due to a hit from Booker in Week 16.

Love found himself flat on his back on a first down in the second quarter. Despite dropping back to avoid the Bears’ fearsome pass rush, Love was crunched by Booker. Booker celebrated, not knowing that his hit would draw a roughing the passer penalty.

The second-year defensive end stayed in the game despite the vicious hit. Love, meanwhile, had to be taken to the medical bay for an evaluation. He did not return to the game.

On Saturday, the NFL officially fined Booker 5k dollars for the hit, and he must also pay an additional $5,818 for a late hit on Love in the first quarter. In total, he will be short by $11,636 this week.

How much is Austn Booker earning with the Bears?

According to Spotrac, the former Minnesota/Kansas alumnus is on a four-year, $4,369,140 contract, including a $349,140 signing bonus, $349,140 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $1,092,285. In 2025, Booker will earn a base salary of $762,221. Even though the fine won’t burn a hole in his pocket, it’s still a big monetary loss.

Bears DE Austin Booker Fined for Controversial Hit on Packers QB Jordan Love
Austin Booker (Image via Yahoo Sports)

Booker’s playing time has been cut back because of injuries. He spent the first eight weeks of the season on injured reserve, nursing a sore knee. The Bears started him in the impressive 47-42 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 9. Since then, Booker has made eight total appearances, racking up 229 combined tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and one forced fumble.

Is Jordan Love playing football?

Malik Willis stepped in as the reliever for Love after he left the game. Willis threw 9 completions for 121 yards and one touchdown pass, but it wasn’t enough to save the Packers from suffering a 22-16 defeat. As a result, the Packers’ chances of climbing the NFC ladder took a massive hit.

Another team that trod the same waters were the Baltimore Ravens. The AFC favorites from the offseason have slipped into the wildcard hunt after a tough stretch of losses. Both the Ravens and the Packers needed a win to gain momentum ahead of the January football season.

Unfortunately, the Packers had to play without Love, much like Lamar Jackson, who injured his back in the Ravens’ previous game. Willis started for the Packers, and Tyler Huntley deputized for Jackson.

However, the big blow came from a different source. The Ravens’ All-Pro running back, Derrick Henry, stole the show with 36 carries, 216 yards, and 4 rushing touchdowns. Huntley finished with a respectable 16 completions for 107 yards and a touchdown pass to Zay Flowers.

Willis’ night ended with a non-contact injury while throwing a pass. Before leaving the game, the Liberty graduate threw 18 completions for 288 yards and one touchdown pass to Christian Watson, who caught 5 passes for 113 yards. Willis also scored two TDs on the ground.

The Packers’ week 17 game ended in a 41-24 defeat. They are stranded as the seventh seed with a 9-6-1 record, while the 8-8 Ravens are on the bubble.

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