While Aaron Rodgers couldn't get the win against his old team on Sunday night, he was definitely up to his old tricks.
The Steelers quarterback came up short against the Packers in Week 8's 35-25 loss, throwing for two touchdowns against Jordan Love's three, and he could only watch as his Packers heir helped put up 21 points in the fourth quarter to clinch the victory.
For all of Rodgers' apparent deficiencies in the twilight years of his NFL career, he showed his mind was still as sharp as ever on one controversial play late in the game.
Rodgers and the Steelers were up 16-14 in the third quarter when the veteran quarterback seemed to fumble the ball at midfield. Rodgers got tackled from behind by a Packers defender, and just before he was pulled to the ground, Rodgers released the ball which was then recovered by Packers' Rashan Gary.
The original call was a forced fumble recovered by Gary, but upon review, the officials ruled it an incomplete pass by Rodgers. The Steelers marched back down the field and were able to get a field goal out of it.
A new video of that play shows Rodgers's quick thinking that avoided what would have been a sack, as Rodgers could be seen making a throwing motion to pitch the ball at the feet of his "intended" receiver, Jaylen Warren, even though Warren was a bit pre-occupied pass-blocking.
Check out that sneaky move below:
This is honestly one of the smartest plays I’ve ever seen by a quarterback. Rodgers throwing it into the ground. With Warren there. No fumble. No sack. No grounding. Steelers got 3 points out of it. Football genius. pic.twitter.com/AiHxoU8fN4
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) October 27, 2025
Had Rodgers held onto the ball, it would have been a sack. Had he not made the arguable throwing motion to Warren, it would been held up as a fumble.
Still, many NFL fans thought Rodgers was taking advantage of an intentional grounding loophole by throwing it to Warren since the running back was clearly not in a position to catch the ball.
This is an intentional fumble and should be ruled as such always. Its deliberate exploitation of the rules. https://t.co/6zZ4REDAQ7
— Buc_C1ty (@KenGrantNFL) October 27, 2025
Look, if you're throwing it to a RB who is very clearly blocking exact one foot in front of you that kinda feels like it should be intentional grounding at the VERY least https://t.co/SImpzhftr9
— Kevin (Only Nik Bonitto can save us now) (@_Kevlar23_) October 27, 2025
While I agree it was incredibly savvy, I think the rules could use an adjustment. A player should have to be running a route and not be actively pass blocking in order to be considered an eligible receiver.
— Aheim (@aheimTA) October 27, 2025
I hate it when mofos think they know the rules when this was clearly a fumble or intentional grounding. Warren wasn't even paying attention as a catcher, dude was blocking 😒
— Pack-Da_G-House28 (@TongXae) October 27, 2025
Rodgers is probably the only person who gets away with this, not Love if it was him.
No, this is gimmicky and in opposition to the nature and rules of the sport.
— Sean-Luc Shanahan (@LucShanaha24000) October 27, 2025
Warren is blocking, back turned and Rodgers threw it into the ground last second to avoid a sack. It should be grounding.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Aaron Rodgers Found Sneaky Way to Avoid Sack With Controversial Play vs. Packers.
