Can Baker Mayfield face suspension? NFL insider reveals consequence after Bucs QB appeared to pop ZYN on sidelines
Baker Mayfield turned a lot of heads after he was spotted seemingly popping a nicotine pouch against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night. This could get the veteran quarterback in trouble with the league, as they have a no-tobacco policy.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers reporter Greg Auman explained on Thursday what could happen to Baker after TV cameras caught this moment and the answer isn't as serious as some might have thought.
Auman wrote on X:
"Some of you have asked about Baker Mayfield being shown on camera Monday night putting nicotine pouches in his mouth on the sidelines. NFL policy is no tobacco products in playing area, but such a violation would typically only result in a warning letter as a reminder."
'ZYN,' the product that Mayfield reportedly used, is a smoking alternative popular among the young population. However, Baker using it on the sidelines wasn't allowed by the league and while the NFL isn't likely to punish him for this, the company that produces this product isn't happy with Mayfield using the product on TV.
"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. The product is marketed only to current nicotine consumers 21 years old and over as a better alternative to continued smoking and other traditional tobacco products," a statement given to TMZ reads.
It's worth noting that nicotine is an addictive chemical that is detrimental to people's health and has serious consequences. Baker Mayfield's actions didn't sit well with several people around and outside the league.
Baker Mayfield leads two major NFL stats entering Week 8
Despite the Bucs' Monday night 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Baker Mayfield remains one of the best quarterbacks in the league this season. Ahead of Week 8, he's top two in two major NFL stats.
Only Geno Smith has thrown for more yards than Mayfield, (1,985 to 1,859), but the former Browns quarterback leads the league in passing touchdowns with 18, three more than the two players tied for second place, Ravens' Lamar Jackson and Packers' Jordan Love.
Mayfield picked up where he left off last season, leading the Bucs to a 4-3 record that could have been 6-1 if they didn't lose to the Falcons in overtime or let the Broncos dominate them 26-7.