NFL To Make Punishment Decision on Aaron Rodgers Incident

Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

NFL To Make Punishment Decision on Aaron Rodgers Incident

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Oct 18, 2026 10:34 PM ET

Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers marked their second straight win on Sunday, improving to 4-2. They scored a crucial road win at Raymond James Stadium, defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-19 in overtime.

Rodgers led the charge for the Steelers, completing 33 of 49 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns. The four-time NFL MVP, however, threw one interception and was sacked five times.

Rodgers was also involved in a contentious incident early in the fourth quarter. The 42-year-old quarterback took a hard hit from Buccaneers defensive tackle Calijah Kancey. The tackle was late and forceful, sending Rodgers to the ground after he released an incomplete short pass to Germie Bernard.

The referees immediately flagged the play and called a personal foul on Kancey at the 14:35 mark of the final quarter. The Bucs DT was flagged for roughing the passer, resulting in a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down for the Steelers.

This moved Pittsburgh to Tampa Bay’s 14. The Steelers scored two plays later, with Rodgers finding Darnell Washington for a five-yard touchdown. Rodgers and Co. cut the deficit to 16-10 after the extra point.

The Steelers added nine more points in the fourth quarter to force overtime. Rodgers connected with Bernard for a six-yard touchdown in the extra period to complete the comeback.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

The NFL will now review the incident and decide whether to punish Kancey for his personal foul.

Rule 12, Section 2, Article 11 of the 2026 NFL rulebook defines roughing the passer as “any physical acts against a player who is in a passing posture (i.e. before, during, or after attempting a pass) which, in the game official’s judgment, are unwarranted by the circumstances of the play will be called as fouls.”

Roughing the passer carries a potential fine of $17,911 for a first offense, according to the NFL’s fines schedule. The fine increases to $23,882 for a second offense.

The NFL will likely announce its decision on Kancey in the weekly accountability report, typically published every Saturday afternoon.

Rodgers and the Steelers will be on the road again for Week 7. They will travel to France to face the New Orleans Saints as part of the NFL’s international games schedule.

Meanwhile, the Buccaneers will seek just their second win of the season on Sunday, Oct. 25, against the Carolina Panthers.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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