Cameras Catch Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers Using “Banned” Inhalant Before Wild Touchdown Pass
It was a Thursday night clash that no one expected to turn into a spectacle, but it did. The Pittsburgh Steelers went head-to-head with the Cincinnati Bengals in what fans jokingly dubbed the “Unc Bowl.”
And while the Bengals eventually edged out a 33–31 victory, it was Aaron Rodgers who stole the spotlight for a very different reason.
Midway through the game, cameras caught the veteran Steelers quarterback engaging in something… unusual.
Before throwing a stunning 68-yard touchdown pass to Pat Freiermuth, Rodgers was seen sniffing what appeared to be a banned substance on the sidelines.
Moments later, he rolled his eyes back, adjusted his helmet, and delivered one of the most electrifying plays of the night.
Escaping pressure from the f’ defense, Rodgers launched a deep strike to a wide-open Freiermuth, leveling the score before Pittsburgh briefly nudged ahead with a PAT.
“Check him out in the clips below,” one commentator noted as social media lit up with slow-motion replays and fan reactions.
Under NFL regulations, smelling salts and similar inhalants are technically banned. However, there’s a loophole.
Players can use their own supplies on the field, as long as they aren’t handed out or endorsed by the team. That’s where things get murky.
Rodgers’ on-camera moment quickly sparked debate among fans and pundits alike. Was it a violation? Or simply a veteran using a legal workaround to stay alert during a tough matchup?
As highlighted in Joe Flacco’s dramatic win over the Steelers, the Bengals capitalized on every opportunity, sealing their victory with a last-minute 36-yard field goal that stunned the home crowd.
Interestingly, this isn’t Rodgers’ first brush with the camera over smelling salts. Late last month, during the Pittsburgh Steelers’ win over the Minnesota Vikings, he was caught doing the same thing before connecting with DK Metcalf for another huge play.
Fans were quick to spot the pattern: a quick sniff, a deep breath, and then a moment of brilliance.
Social media went into overdrive. Clips of the moment circulated on X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, with users dissecting every frame.
Some defended Rodgers, calling it “just an adrenaline trick,” while others argued the NFL should “tighten the loophole.”
Aaron Rodgers wasn’t ready for how strong these smelling salts are pic.twitter.com/5pCHO9ouMD
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) October 17, 2025
68-YARD TOUCHDOWN!!!!! @pat_fry5
: #PITvsCIN on @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/9cu7D5Kgc5
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 17, 2025
One fan joked, “Aaron Rodgers out here using performance-enhancing salts, whatever it takes!”
Despite the controversy, Rodgers’ on-field performance remains undeniable. That touchdown to Freiermuth showcased the precision and flair that’s defined his career. Yet, the questions surrounding his pre-snap ritual persist.
For now, the NFL hasn’t issued a statement, but the footage speaks volumes. Whether it was a rule-bending tactic or just a quirky habit, Aaron Rodgers once again reminded everyone that he’s never boring to watch.
