Steelers Awaiting Punishment Decision After Aaron Rodgers Play

Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Steelers Awaiting Punishment Decision After Aaron Rodgers Play

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Sep 13, 2026 3:27 PM ET

Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers looked to bounce back from a disappointing finish in 2025, opening the 2026 NFL season with a Week 1 home matchup against Cooper Rush and the Atlanta Falcons. The Steelers were coming off a 10-7 finish last season, which ended with a blowout loss in the Wildcard Round of the NFL Playoffs to the Houston Texans.

With 6:56 remaining in the second quarter, Pittsburgh had the ball at its own 16, looking to add to the 13-7 lead. Out of shotgun, Rodgers couldn’t find anyone open on the 2nd-and-8 play, only for the 42-year-old quarterback to use his feet, picking up eight yards and getting close to a first down before getting stopped by Falcons defensive end Cameron Thomas.

However, it didn’t matter in the end, as Steelers offensive tackle Dylan Cook was called for a facemask, resulting in an eight-yard loss. But Cook can expect another punishment coming his way because of the play.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during an NFL game.Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

With his facemask on Rodgers’ eight-yard run, Cook will likely receive a fine before Pittsburgh’s Week 2 matchup. In the NFL, players are typically fined up to $11,941 for a first facemask penalty, which can increase to $17,911 upon a second offense.

In the preseason, only one Steelers player received a fine over three games. Cornerback Doneiko Slaughter was charged $4,917 for taunting against the Buffalo Bills. And eight total NFL players were fined for a preseason facemask, with the highest fine of $10,625 going to Tennessee Titans defensive end Oluwafemi Oladejo.

In 2025, Pittsburgh was hit with 16 different fines for a grand total of $193,415. This includes stars such as defensive end T.J. Watt, wide receiver D.K. Metcalf and linebacker Patrick Queen. But there was no fine for a face mask last year on the Steelers.

“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