Baker Mayfield won’t be disciplined by the NFL for using Zyn, a smoke-free nicotine pouch, on the Buccaneers’ sideline before the start of the third quarter on Monday, according to ESPN.
The outlet added that the quarterback would get a letter “reminding him that he should not be using the product on the sideline,” with a reminder that he could get fined for a second violation, given the league’s policy against using tobacco products on the field.
ESPN’s broadcast captured Mayfield on the bench appearing to open a Zyn container and putting one into his mouth in the moments before the second half began during their 41-31 loss to the Ravens on Monday.
The Buccaneers trailed by a touchdown at halftime and had already lost top wideout Mike Evans due to a hamstring injury, but the second half quickly took another disastrous turn for Mayfield and Tampa Bay.
They were outscored 17-0 in the third quarter to turn the game into a blowout, but as the Buccaneers attempted to mount a comeback in the final frame, Chris Godwin — their No. 2 receiver — dislocated his left ankle during the final two minutes and was carted off the field in what could potentially be a season-ending injury.
So across a stretch of 45 game minutes, Tampa Bay went from having a 4-2 record and one of the league’s best offense to scrambling at wide receiver — something that’ll continue until Evans returns from his injury, which reportedly might not be until Week 12 after the Buccaneers’ bye.
“As we’re getting this game plan going, looking at obviously not having Mike and Chris, teams can’t exactly play to those tendencies when we’re game planning with those guys,” Mayfield told reporters this week, according to NFL.com. “It’ll look different but everybody just has to do their part. Everybody has to be dialed in, and it’s next man up.”
Mayfield revived his career alongside Evans and Godwin last season, tossing 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
He made the Pro Bowl and helped the Buccaneers upset the Eagles in the wild-card round of the postseason.
Through seven games in 2024, Mayfield leads the NFL with 18 touchdowns.
The Buccaneers host the Falcons on Sunday with a chance to take control of first place in the NFC South before traveling to face the Chiefs and hosting the 49ers — the pair of teams who met in last year’s Super Bowl — the next two weeks.