Jeff Ulbrich fine, explained: Falcons DC hit with $100k penalty for role in Shedeur Sanders prank call

Colin Capece

•
Jeff Ulbrich fine, explained: Falcons DC hit with $100k penalty for role in Shedeur Sanders prank call image

The NFL fined the Falcons $250,000 and their defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich, $100,000 on Wednesday for their role in the prank call to Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders during the NFL Draft, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The league levied the fines specifically for failing to prevent the disclosure of confidential information distributed to the club in advance of the NFL Draft. It is estimated that the league sends emails with prospects' phone numbers to around 60 people per team before the draft. Ulbrich’s son, Jax, took Sanders' number from his father's iPad and used it to prank call the Colorado quarterback during the draft. Jax has apologized for the incident.

The Falcons released a statement on Tuesday saying they were "proactive in addressing the situation internally and cooperated fully with the league throughout the process." The team also said that the Ulbrich family will be working to participate in community service related to the matter. 

📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

Here's what to know about the fines handed out today: 

Jeff Ulbrich fine, explained

The NFL fined the Falcons $250,000 and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich $100,000 for their role in the prank call made to Shedeur Sanders on Day 2 of the NFL Draft.

The prank call occurred on Friday during the second round of the draft. The phone that Sanders received the call on was personally issued to him by the league, meaning it was someone connected to the NFL who had either dialed him or leaked the phone number.

The Falcons released a statement on Sunday, after it was revealed that Jax Ulbrich had been involved, saying the organization would cooperate fully with an NFL investigation.

Jeff Ulbrich salary with Falcons

Ulbrich's $100,000 fine will hit him a bit harder than the $250,000 fine given to the organization.

The defensive coordinator is earning $1.6 million in 2025, according to Front Office Sports, meaning the $100,000 fine is roughly 6% of his salary. The Falcons hired Ulbrich as their defensive coordinator in January following a stint as the Jets' interim head coach in 2024.

Who is Jax Ulbrich?

Jax Ulbrich is the 21-year-old son of Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. He attends Ole Miss and appeared to have called Sanders from a dorm room on Friday.

Jax revealed he was the culprit on Sunday in a statement on social media. He wrote that he "made a tremendous mistake" and that what he did was "completely inexcusable, embarrassing and shameful." He added that he"took away" from Sanders' draft moment.

Jeff Ulbrich did not know about the prank call or that his son had Sanders' number until after the fact. Schefter reported that the Falcons would not punish their defensive coordinator for the situation with Sanders or the leaked phone number.

MORE NFL DRAFT 2025:

Shedeur Sanders prank call 

Sanders experienced a stunning slide in the draft that gained even more attention when he received a call during the second round. He picked up the phone and put it on speaker, hoping for good news.

The caller claimed they were Saints general manager Mickey Loomis, and then said: "It's been a long wait, man. We're gonna take you with our next pick right here, man." Sanders responded, "Let's be legendary." 

The caller then abruptly said Sanders would "have to wait a little bit longer," and hung up. The Sanders family was live streaming during the incident, and the call from Shedeur's point of view can be found on YouTube here:

SHEDEUR SANDERS NFL DRAFT SLIDE: 

Colin Capece

Colin Capece is an editorial intern for The Sporting News. He previously wrote The Dallas Morning News, USA Today and The Arizona Republic. Colin earned his master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University and loves to talk baseball and basketball.