The NFL has fined three head coaches $250,000 each for their conduct toward officials, some of the largest fines handed out to coaches in the league's history.

New England Patriots' Mike Vrabel, Philadelphia Eagles' Nick Sirianni and New York Jets' Aaron Glenn were each issued the fines, which have been put on hold pending their future conduct toward officials. The penalties could be rescinded entirely if the coaches avoid further incidents. The NFL has not specified what prompted the fines, but all three coaches have been involved in heated exchanges with officials on the sidelines this season.

Vrabel left the coaching box to confront an official late in the first half of the Patriots’ 29-26 win over the Buffalo Bills on October 5 after taking issue with a defensive holding penalty against cornerback Marcus Jones. The Patriots coach was assessed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty as a result.

Referee Bill Vinovich later said Vrabel was penalized for using profanity toward an official. However, Vrabel disputed that account, telling reporters Vinovich “was a little sensitive” and adding: “I told him it was a terrible — I’m not going to say f------ call. I’ve said that 87 times since I’ve been a head coach. It was nothing derogatory.”

A week later, Glenn was seen angrily confronting three officials during the Jets’ win over the Cleveland Browns. Glenn challenged officials over several missed penalties during the game, including a controversial no-call involving Jared Verse and another involving contact with Isaiah Williams on a punt return.

Sirianni has also had several heated exchanges with officials this season, including one on September 28 after Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was flagged for intentional grounding.

Sirianni was asked about the fine in his pre-Dallas Cowboys press conference. He declined to discuss his conversations with the NFL, saying he prefers to keep discussions with the league, the Referees Association and his players private.

If the fines are enforced, they would rank among the largest penalties ever handed to NFL head coaches.

Should Vrabel, Sirianni and Glenn each pay the full $250,000, their fines would represent the second-largest coaching penalty in league history.

NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent told reporters at Wednesday's owners meetings in New York City that sportsmanship had been discussed, with the fines appearing to reinforce the league's expectations for more professional conduct between coaches, players and officials.

The league also suspended officials Jeff Seeman and Adrian Hill on October 5 following separate incidents involving players.

Seeman appeared to swear at Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride, while Hill confronted Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson after being accidentally knocked to the ground.