Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers were in Ireland on Sunday to take on the Minnesota Vikings.
The Steelers and Vikings both entered the game with 2-1 records, and both teams needed to get another win to feel great about their start to the season. The Steelers took control early and had a 14-3 lead at the half.
After the half, the Steelers scored the only points of the third quarter. Entering the fourth, the Steelers had a 21-6 lead, but the Vikings mounted a serious comeback in the final stretch. The Vikings scored 15 points while the Steelers added just three, but it was enough for the Steelers to escape with a 24-21 win.
Overall, Rodgers had a solid game. The future Hall of Famer completed 18-of-22 passes for 200 yards and one touchdown. That one touchdown came in the second quarter when Rodgers found D.K. Metcalf for an 80-yard score.
However, what happened right before that throw from Rodgers is what caught some eyes.
Right after Rodgers broke the huddle, the quarterback was seen reaching in his pocket to grab what appeared to be smelling salts. Rodgers then took a big whiff of the salts and then prepared to snap the ball.
Of course, as soon as the ball was snapped, Rodgers zeroed in on Metcalf and threw a strike to the receiver down the middle of the field. Metcalf then avoided several defenders and made it all the way to the end zone.
Smelling salts reportedly increase alertness and help control breathing. It’s worth noting that the NFL banned teams from supplying the salts before the 2025 season, but players are allowed to supply them themselves.
Of course, if anybody was going to use smelling salts, it just seems like it would be Rodgers.
Whatever Rodgers is doing, it’s clearly working. His Steelers are in firm possession of first place in the AFC North and the quarterback looks more like his vintage self than he did during his time with the New York Jets.
Through four games, Rodgers has thrown for 786 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 68.5% of his passes. Metcalf, who Rodgers found for the long touchdown has also had a hot start to the 2025 season.
Metcalf has caught 15 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns. Rodgers and Metcalf will enjoy a bye week next weekend and will look to add another win the following week against the Cleveland Browns.
