PITTSBURGH — The NFL world is reeling after Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin dropped a bombshell following Green Bay Packers’ stunning 35–25 comeback victory over his team on Sunday Night Football at Acrisure Stadium. In a fiery postgame press conference, Tomlin called for an immediate NFL investigation into alleged performance-enhancing drug (PED) use by Packers quarterback Jordan Love, whose second-half heroics fueled a 28-point explosion to erase a 16–7 halftime deficit. Tomlin accused Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur of “pulling every dirty trick in the book” to secure the win, suggesting Love’s record-breaking performance was “too explosive to be natural.” “We’re not naive,” Tomlin seethed. “That kind of turnaround, that precision? We’re formally requesting a PED test on Love—now. LaFleur’s desperate to chase that ring, and we’re not buying this ‘comeback’ fairy tale.”
Love, the Packers’ franchise cornerstone, was a one-man wrecking crew, completing 29 of 37 passes for 360 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions, posting a 134.4 passer rating. His 20 consecutive completions—tying a franchise record set by Brett Favre in 2009—included a 59-yard touchdown bomb to tight end Tucker Kraft and an 8-yard score to rookie Savion Williams, igniting Green Bay’s rally. Love’s third TD, a 44-yard strike to Christian Watson, sealed the deal, while RB Josh Jacobs (94 yards) grounded the clock. The Packers (5–1–1) solidified their NFC North contender status, while the Steelers (4–3) saw their AFC North lead slip, despite Aaron Rodgers’ 24-of-36, 219-yard, two-TD effort falling short against Love’s onslaught.
Tomlin’s accusations zeroed in on Love’s “inhuman” second-half surge, where he went 15-of-15 for 210 yards and two TDs, turning a nine-point deficit into a rout. “First half, he’s mortal—14-of-22, one score,” Tomlin said. “Then suddenly he’s surgical, picking us apart like it’s a video game? I’ve coached against Brady, Mahomes—that’s not normal without help. We need answers.” The outburst came amid a heated rivalry game, with Rodgers facing his former team and Pittsburgh’s defense—ranked top-10 in points allowed (18.2 per game)—collapsing under Love’s precision and a 75-yard TD drive sparked by a Rashan Gary strip-sack.
LaFleur fired back, dismissing the claims as “pathetic desperation.” “Jordan’s been elite all season—check the tape,” he snapped. “Tomlin’s mad his secondary got torched. PED test? Go ahead, we’re clean. Maybe coach your guys to cover Kraft next time.” Packers GM Brian Gutekunst doubled down on X: “Love’s a superstar. Steelers can’t handle the heat? Cry elsewhere. #GoPackGo.” The NFL confirmed Tomlin’s request was received, with a “random” test for Love under review per league protocol, though no timeline was specified. Love’s clean history—no prior PED flags—makes the claim a stretch, but Green Bay’s 2024 PED whispers (Jaire Alexander’s suspension) add fuel to the fire.
Social media exploded, with #PEDLove trending at 150K posts. Packers fans rallied—“Jordan’s just HIM,” one wrote—while Steelers Nation fumed: “Love’s arm went from good to god-mode. Test him!” Analysts are divided: ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky called it “Tomlin deflecting from a defensive meltdown,” citing Love’s offseason work with 3DQB trainers. CBS’s Jay Glazer noted “rumblings” about Green Bay’s conditioning program but urged caution. Love, stoic postgame, said: “I play with heart, not juice. Let them test me—I’ve got nothing to hide.”
The game itself was a classic: Green Bay’s 28 second-half points overwhelmed Pittsburgh’s secondary, with Kraft (7 catches, 143 yards, 2 TDs) and Watson (85 yards) feasting. Rodgers’ late TD to Roman Wilson was too little, too late. Tomlin’s gambit risks escalating tensions ahead of a potential playoff rematch, echoing past coach-led controversies like Harbaugh’s 2014 PED jabs. As the NFL weighs action, Love’s legacy hangs in the balance—hero or cheat? For now, Packers Nation celebrates, but the league’s microscope is on.
