Vikings Owner Zygi Wilf Demands NFL Investigation into Aaron Rodgers After Viral 'Banned Substance' Video

Dublin, Ireland — September 29, 2025 — The fallout from the Pittsburgh Steelers' 24-21 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL's first Dublin game has taken a dramatic turn, with Vikings owner Zygi Wilf calling for an immediate league investigation into Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The demand follows a viral video showing Rodgers inhaling a substance moments before his 80-yard touchdown pass to DK Metcalf in the second quarter.

Wilf, in a strongly worded statement released Monday, accused the Steelers of violating NFL rules on banned substances. “The video is clear—Rodgers was using smelling salts, a prohibited aid, right before making a play that swung the game,” Wilf said. “Player safety and competitive integrity are non-negotiable. We urge the NFL to launch a full probe into this incident and hold all parties accountable.”

The controversial clip, captured by NFL Network cameras, depicts Rodgers cracking open a small vial and taking a deep inhale during a huddle before launching the deep ball to Metcalf, putting Pittsburgh up 14-3. The Steelers (3-1) held on for the win, with Rodgers finishing 18-of-22 for 200 yards and a touchdown. Vikings owner Wilf, whose team fell to 2-1, labeled the moment “unacceptable,” tying it to broader concerns about Rodgers' history of head injuries and the league's 2025 smelling salts ban.

Aaron Rodgers ripping smelling salts and then rips it in to Metcalf for a long TD pic.twitter.com/UX12s8u99l

— Dave Heilman NFL (@DynastyDorks) September 28, 2025

“We’ve seen Rodgers’ past with concussions—2010 Grade 1, 2018 concerns—and this raises red flags about masking symptoms,” Wilf added. “The NFL must investigate to protect the game.” The video has sparked debate on X, with #RodgersSmellingSalts trending and fans divided: some defending it as a common practice, others echoing Wilf's call for scrutiny.

The NFL has not commented, but under league policy, such allegations could lead to fines or staff discipline for the Steelers, though game outcomes remain unaffected. Rodgers dismissed the uproar postgame: “Focus on football—that’s my game.” As the Steelers prepare for Week 5, Wilf’s push puts pressure on Commissioner Roger Goodell to address the controversy, potentially escalating tensions in the NFC North race.