NFL Announces Punishment Decision After Aaron Rodgers Play

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

NFL Announces Punishment Decision After Aaron Rodgers Play

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Sep 19, 2026 4:10 PM ET

Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers jumped to 1-0 on the 2026 NFL season after a 20-13 win over Cooper Rush and the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1. Now, the Steelers will look to make it two in a row, hitting the road for a Week 2 matchup against Drake Maye and the defending AFC champion New England Patriots.

With just under seven minutes remaining in the second quarter of the Steelers vs. Falcons game, Rodgers and Pittsburgh had the ball at their own 16, looking to add to the 13-7 lead. Out of shotgun, the former Green Bay Packers quarterback couldn’t find an open target on the 2nd-and-8 play, only for the 42-year-old to use his feet, picking up eight yards and getting close to a first down before he was tackled by Atlanta defensive end Cameron Thomas.

However, it didn’t matter in the end, as Steelers offensive tackle Dylan Cook was called for a facemask while blocking, resulting in a 2nd-and-16 for Pittsburgh, which eventually ended up punting to end the drive.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) reacts during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons.Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

With his facemask penalty on Rodgers’ run attempt, the NFL reviewed Cook’s play for a potential fine, as it does with every play throughout the season. The league defines a facemask as: “If a player grasps an opponent’s facemask or helmet opening, he must immediately release it. He shall not grasp and control, twist, turn, push, or pull the facemask or helmet opening of an opponent in any direction.”

NFL players can be fined up to $11,941 for a first facemask penalty, which can increase to $17,911 upon a second violation in the same season. And on Saturday, the NFL announced that Cook has not been fined for his facemask on Rodgers’ 8-yard run.

Only one Steelers player was fined during the preseason, with defensive back Doneiko Slaughter charged $4,917 for taunting. Last season, as a team, Pittsburgh players totaled 18 fines for $749,747, but none of them were for a facemask.

“Dylan Cook called for a facemask on 2nd down and the Steelers are now backed up to 2nd and 16 at their own 8,” PennLive’s Nick Farabaugh wrote on X.

Dylan Cook called for a facemask on 2nd down and the Steelers are now backed up to 2nd and 16 at their own 8.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) September 13, 2026