Aaron Rodgers appeared to give himself a little jolt before throwing a long touchdown pass to DK Metcalf during the Pittsburgh Steelers’ game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
Rodgers and the Steelers beat the Vikings 24-21 in a Week 4 game that was played at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland. On the first play of a Pittsburgh drive early in the second quarter, Rodgers threw a strike to Metcalf over the middle of the field and the receiver took it 80 yards for a touchdown.
As Rodgers broke the huddle for that play, Steelers tackle Broderick Jones handed the former MVP what looked like a packet of smelling salts. Rodgers took a whiff before lining up for the snap.
Whatever it was, it did the trick.
Aaron Rodgers hits a smelling salt then rips it to DK Metcalf for an 80-yard TD 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/fwaMx8hxV0
— GhettoGronk (@TheGhettoGronk) September 28, 2025
The NFL issued a memo about smelling salts and ammonia packets during the offseason. There were initially reports that the league had banned the use of the substances, which led to some questions about whether Rodgers broke a rule in Dublin. However, the NFLPA clarified in August that players are still allowed to use smelling salts, teams and team staffers are just no longer permitted to supply them.
Many NFL players use smelling salts to give them a burst of energy. One star player even claimed he considered retiring when the NFL cracked down on the substances.
Rodgers was an efficient 18/22 for 200 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions in the win over Minnesota. The Steelers are now 3-1 on the season.
