Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield had an impressive performance Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens, throwing three touchdowns despite two interceptions. While his on-field efforts kept Tampa Bay competitive, it was his sideline activity that grabbed additional headlines and sparked fan discussion.
Midway through the third quarter, with the Buccaneers trailing the Ravens 17–10, cameras captured Mayfield placing a small product in his mouth on the sidelines. Viewers quickly speculated that it was a Zyn nicotine pouch, a tobacco-free product that has surged in popularity across the United States. On Friday, ESPN’s Jenna Laine confirmed the speculation, reporting that Mayfield had indeed used a Zyn pouch on the sidelines.
Although the NFL prohibits nicotine products during games and interviews, Mayfield will not face any formal discipline for the incident.
According to Laine, the league will issue a reminder letter to Mayfield emphasizing the sideline restrictions around nicotine, including Zyn. “Zyn is a nicotine product, and nicotine is prohibited by the NFL on the sidelines and in interviews,” Laine posted on social media.
Zyn, manufactured by Swedish Match, has seen significant growth in the U.S. market, with demand spiking so high earlier this year that supply shortages were reported nationwide.
The product’s popularity is partly due to its tobacco-free nature, though the nicotine it contains still poses an addictive risk.
Mayfield and the Buccaneers now turn their focus to an upcoming division matchup against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
While the quarterback has avoided a penalty this time, the situation serves as a reminder of the league’s stance on nicotine products during games and the scrutiny players face even while on the sidelines.
