In a surprising turn, the NFL has decided not to penalize Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield after cameras caught him taking a ZYN nicotine pouch on the sidelines during the team’s Monday night face-off against the Baltimore Ravens. Despite league regulations prohibiting nicotine use during games, Mayfield will only receive a formal letter reminding him of the rules, with no further disciplinary action planned, per ESPN’s Jenna Laine.
The moment caught fans’ attention as ESPN’s broadcast panned to Mayfield on the Buccaneers’ bench with the team trailing 17-10. Observant viewers saw him pop a white pouch into his mouth, sparking an immediate social media reaction. For some fans, the display solidified Mayfield’s reputation as “a champ,” while others voiced concerns about the public display of nicotine use.
ZYN, a popular alternative to traditional tobacco, is marketed by Swedish Match as a “safer” option for adult nicotine users. The company was quick to address Mayfield’s sideline incident, issuing a statement to TMZ that urged consumers not to use its products publicly where those under 21 could be exposed. “Swedish Match appreciates its loyal consumers and encourages them not to show the product in any situation where someone under 21 years old could see it,” they stated. The reminder underscores the pouch’s appeal in an industry where tobacco alternatives have gained traction as cigarette sales continue to decline.
For Mayfield, the sideline moment appeared to be a way to decompress in an otherwise brutal game. Tampa Bay suffered a crushing 41-31 defeat, and with injuries piling up, the night took a toll on more than just the scoreboard. Buccaneers star receiver Chris Godwin sustained a gruesome ankle dislocation in the game’s final minute, leading fans to criticize head coach Todd Bowles for keeping starters on the field in what many considered garbage time. Another critical blow came earlier in the game when wide receiver Mike Evans limped off due to a hamstring injury, sidelining him until at least Week 12.
As the Buccaneers scramble to rebuild their receiving corps and contend with injuries, the league’s leniency toward Mayfield’s use of ZYN highlights a broader debate: the evolving standards around nicotine products in professional sports. While the NFL maintains a strict no-tobacco policy during games, nicotine pouches like ZYN occupy a gray area, marketed as a cleaner, tobacco-free option that doesn’t require spitting. For now, Mayfield dodges the disciplinary bullet, but his sideline behavior raises the question: will the NFL need to tighten its policies as these tobacco alternatives become more prevalent?
With the Bucs reeling from a string of injuries and losses, all eyes will be on how Tampa Bay — and Mayfield himself — can bounce back in the coming weeks. For now, though, Mayfield’s sideline stint serves as a small, smoky footnote in a season full of hard hits and harder lessons.
