🦅BREAKING NEWS: Tyler Steen explains he only acted to protect a rookie wide receiver after a foul by Commanders Will Harris caused a scuffle in the recent game 👇

In a fiery NFC East clash that saw the Philadelphia Eagles clinch their second consecutive division title with a 29-18 victory over the Washington Commanders on December 20, 2025, at Northwest Stadium, tensions boiled over in the fourth quarter, leading to a chaotic brawl that ejected three players and sparked widespread discussion across the NFL.

At the center of the controversy was Eagles right guard Tyler Steen, who has now broken his silence, insisting his actions were solely to defend rookie wide receiver Darius Cooper after a questionable play by Commanders safety Will Harris.

The incident unfolded with just over four minutes remaining in the game. The Eagles, already leading comfortably, had just scored a touchdown followed by a successful two-point conversion run by star running back Saquon Barkley, pushing the score to 29-10.

As players reset on the field, Commanders safety Will Harris was caught on replay sticking his hand up into the facemask area of Darius Cooper, the Eagles’ rookie wide receiver, in what many described as a cheap shot or unnecessary roughness away from the main action.

Cooper, visibly upset, confronted Harris, shoving him in response and sparking an immediate shoving match.

What began as words and pushes quickly escalated. Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil jumped in to tug at Cooper, drawing the attention of Eagles offensive linemen Landon Dickerson and Fred Johnson, who stepped in to back their teammate. Washington defensive tackle Daron Payne then shoved Johnson, intensifying the fracas.

That’s when Tyler Steen entered the fray. Video replays show Steen throwing the first punch at Sainristil after seeing the rookie being overwhelmed by multiple Commanders players.

The situation exploded from there, with Washington defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw and safety Quan Martin swinging at Steen, who was soon swarmed and taken to the ground by a group of burgundy jerseys.

Punches flew in all directions, helmets were ripped off, and sidelines cleared as players from both teams rushed in.

Referees struggled to regain control, throwing multiple flags for unnecessary roughness. In the end, Steen, Kinlaw, and Martin were ejected, marking a dramatic end to an already heated rivalry game. Even Saquon Barkley briefly returned from the sideline to exchange words with Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner before being pulled away.

Eagles security chief Dom DiSandro was also on the field, helping to separate players.

Speaking to reporters on December 24, 2025, following practice, Steen addressed the incident for the first time, emphasizing his protective instincts. “I saw our rookie getting pushed around after that foul by Harris,” Steen explained.

“Darius is a young guy out there, and as offensive linemen, that’s what we do—we protect our skill guys, especially the rookies. I don’t remember exactly how I got in the middle of it all, but when I saw multiple guys on him after that facemask thing, I just reacted.

It wasn’t about starting anything; it was about having his back.” Steen admitted the chaos happened fast but stood firm that his involvement stemmed from team loyalty rather than aggression.

Teammates have rallied around Steen, turning the ejection into locker room lore.

Offensive tackle Fred Johnson playfully dubbed him “the champ” during a media session, yelling, “He took that Rocky movie seriously—my bad, I mean Creed!” The good-natured ribbing continued, with players joking about Steen’s fighting spirit since the game ended.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts was seen having a long sideline conversation with Steen after the ejections, offering guidance as they walked off the field together.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni defended the late two-point attempt that preceded the scuffle, insisting it was not an attempt to run up the score but part of standard game management. “We’re playing to win and following our charts,” Sirianni said postgame.

On the Commanders’ side, coach Dan Quinn expressed frustration but stopped short of accusing the Eagles of disrespect, noting he needed to review the tape further. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin acknowledged the rivalry’s intensity: “Eagles vs. Commanders—that’s how it goes. They’re not going to take it easy on us.”

The NFL reviewed the brawl promptly, and on December 22, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that no suspensions would be issued. Steen, Kinlaw, and Martin are expected to face fines, but all will be available for their teams’ upcoming games.

For the Eagles, this is welcome news as Steen has started all 15 games this season at right guard, providing crucial stability to the offensive line in his third year. Avoiding a suspension keeps Philadelphia’s lineup intact as they push for playoff seeding.

The scuffle has reignited talks about player safety and on-field discipline in the NFL, especially in divisional rivalries known for their physicality. Critics pointed to Harris’s initial contact as the spark, with many analysts calling it a clear facemask penalty that went uncalled.

Replays circulated widely on social media, showing Cooper’s immediate reaction and the rapid escalation. Fans praised Steen’s loyalty, with some dubbing him a “Philly legend” for standing up against multiple opponents. “That’s Eagles football—protect your own,” one viral post read.

This wasn’t the first chippy moment in the game, which featured several hard hits and trash talk throughout. The Eagles dominated the second half, holding the Commanders’ third-string quarterback to minimal production after early struggles.

Philadelphia’s win not only secured the NFC East but also eliminated the Dallas Cowboys from playoff contention, adding extra satisfaction for Eagles fans.

As the dust settles, Steen’s explanation has resonated with teammates and supporters alike. In a league where offensive linemen often toil in anonymity, his actions spotlighted the unspoken code of protection that defines team camaraderie.

“Everybody in that locker room respects what I did,” Steen noted with a smile amid the jokes. “Sticking up for the rookie—that’s just who we are.”

With the holidays approaching and the playoffs on the horizon, the Eagles head into Week 17 against the Buffalo Bills with momentum and unity. For Steen, the incident serves as a reminder of the passion that fuels the game, even if it came at the cost of an early shower.

The rivalry with Washington remains as intense as ever, setting the stage for their regular-season finale on January 4. In the meantime, Steen’s stand for Darius Cooper has become the latest chapter in a season full of resilient performances for the defending NFC champions.

As of December 25, 2025, no further disciplinary actions have been announced, and both teams are preparing for their next matchups.

The brawl, while chaotic, underscored the high stakes and emotions of late-season NFL football, leaving fans buzzing about what could be a playoff-bound Eagles squad ready to defend their ground—on and off the field.