Jarrett Bell | USA TODAY

Mike Tomlin fired off on NFL officials this week – and now the NFL has fired back.

The Pittsburgh Steelers coach has been fined $25,000 for criticizing officials, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because the action had yet to be officially announced by the league.

Following a victory against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Tomlin called the quality of officiating “a joke” that needs correction. It was unclear whether he was referencing a questionable roughing-the-passer penalty called against Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt, another in a series of cases league-wide flowing from a point of emphasis officials are operating under this season to better protect the quarterback.

“We’ve got to get better as a National Football League,” Tomlin said on Sunday. “Man, these penalties are costing people games and jobs. We’ve got to get them correct. So, I’m pissed.”

On Monday, Tomlin spoke about the issue with Troy Vincent, the league’s executive vice president of football operations. He maintained on Tuesday that he did not expect to draw a fine.

Yet Tomlin also told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday, “I said what I said after the game. I meant it, but I have no further comment.”

There was some sentiment that Tomlin, a member of the NFL’s competition committee who is very involved with rules changes might escape a fine, given that his initial comments were expressed in the aftermath of a game, when emotions are raw.

Upon further review, though, the NFL ruled that it’s a black-and-white issue – and that Tomlin crossed the line by publicly expressing such frustration.

Follow Jarrett Bell on Twitter @JarrettBell.

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