Baker Mayfield’s pregame preparations with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face a major adjustment as the NFL announced it will ban the use of smelling salts and ammonia packets during games starting in the 2025 season. This decision, revealed during the San Francisco 49ers training camp, aims to address growing concerns over the substances’ impact on player safety and fairness.
New NFL Rules Target Smelling Salts Use
The NFL Network reported that the league is prohibiting smelling salts and ammonia packets because they may provide an unfair advantage by boosting player alertness artificially. These products have been employed by team medical personnel to revive players after injuries, sometimes even those who lost consciousness temporarily. However, their role has expanded as players increasingly use them to stimulate energy and focus before and during games.
The league’s decision follows heightened scrutiny over the potential risks that smelling salts pose, particularly the fear they might mask serious injuries rather than protect athletes. While definitive evidence remains elusive, the NFL’s move signals a commitment to preventing enhanced performance through artificial means that could compromise fairness or safety on the field.
Impact on Baker Mayfield and His Team
Baker Mayfield has been one of the most frequent users of smelling salts on the Buccaneers’ roster, regularly inhaling them during warmups and on the sidelines to stay sharp and energized. For Mayfield, the ban represents a significant change in his routine and could affect his mental and physical preparation ahead of games.
Alongside Mayfield, other players such as tight end George Kittle have expressed dissatisfaction with the prohibition. Kittle highlighted the controversy surrounding smelling salts, indicating that many players feel this rule alters an important aspect of their game-day rituals.
“Smelling salts and ammonia packets have been used by NFL training staff when a player would go down with an injury, occasionally leading to them being knocked unconscious.” —George Kittle
“This will not make Baker Mayfield happy.” —George Kittle
Despite the criticisms, some believe the ban may not produce drastic changes to how players psych themselves up. The essence of the game remains focused on athletic skill and mental toughness, and players will likely seek new methods to achieve peak performance without relying on banned substances.
Wider Context and Future Outlook for the Buccaneers
The NFL’s addition of the smelling salts ban comes amid a broader push for player safety and integrity throughout the league. As teams prepare for the upcoming 2025 season, Tampa Bay Buccaneers coaches and players will need to adjust their strategies and routines accordingly.
The change also reflects ongoing debates about what methods athletes should be permitted to use to gain an edge. While some players see smelling salts as harmless tools to sustain focus, the league’s stance is clear that such practices must be reevaluated to preserve a level playing field.
As Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers adapt to this new reality, their ability to innovate off-field preparations may play a role in maintaining competitive advantages. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see how these changes influence game-day performances and whether other equipment or practices come under scrutiny in future NFL regulations.