Roquan Smith faces the music as NFL makes decision on controversial hip drop tackle

Roquan Smith, the heart and soul of the Baltimore Ravens’ defense, has been fined $16,883 for his hit on Tampa Bay’s Chris Godwin. It was an impact play that sparked more conversation about the NFL’s attempts to regulate the game in the name of safety.

Smith’s tackle, ruled a hip drop by the league, left Godwin with a dislocated ankle and Smith with a lighter wallet. But the fine is just the latest twist in the NFL’s evolving (and controversial) approach to tackling rules this season.

The hip-drop tackle rule is supposed to prioritize player safety, addressing a technique that’s 20-25 times more likely to cause injuries. It’s a noble cause, no doubt. No one wants to see players getting carted off the field, and efforts to minimize serious injuries are crucial.

But the way this rule is being enforced raises eyebrows for all the wrong reasons.

Roquan Smith latest player fined by the NFL for banned hip drop tackle

While the league claims to be protecting players, Smith’s situation is a prime example of how defenders are being put in tough positions. The hit in question occurred in the heat of a crucial play, with Godwin trying to pick up extra yards late in the fourth quarter.

As Smith closed in, it’s unlikely he was thinking about the mechanics of his tackling technique, he was just trying to make a stop.

Smith, to his credit, has taken the fine in stride, emphasizing his respect for Godwin as a player and wishing him a quick recovery. “You never want to see anybody go down,” Smith said. “It’s a physical game, but I play with respect for my opponents.”

Clearly, his intent wasn’t to cause harm, but the fine sends a different message: defenders need to be hyper-aware of every aspect of their tackling approach, even when the game is on the line.

The NFL made the right call, but changes are necessary

What’s even more frustrating is the rule still isn’t being enforced on the field. Nine fines have been handed out for hip-drop tackles this season, yet not a single flag has been thrown.

That’s where the confusion comes in: if the league can identify these tackles after the fact, why can’t officials spot them in real-time? It’s an inconsistency that undermines the NFL’s safety efforts, leaving defensive players guessing about how they’re supposed to adjust.

No one is arguing against player safety, it's vital for the integrity of the game.

But the way the NFL is implementing this rule feels half-baked. The league has made a point to protect quarterbacks and defenseless receivers over the past few years, but applying the same level of clarity to the hip drop tackle remains elusive.

Smith’s fine is a reminder player safety is always a work in progress.

It’s a noble pursuit, but the league must make its rules enforceable in real-time instead of relying on after-the-fact fines to make a point. If not, the unclear rules will continue to frustrate both players and fans, despite the good intentions behind them.

More Ravens news and analysis