The NFL has been rocked by controversy just hours after the Green Bay Packers stunned the Pittsburgh Steelers 35–25 at Acrisure Stadium in Week 8. In a move that has ignited a league-wide firestorm, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has filed an official request to the NFL demanding an immediate doping test on Packers tight end Tucker Kraft.
Tomlin made it clear he believes something “wasn’t normal” about Kraft’s historic second-half domination.
“I’m not saying he’s on anything,” Tomlin said at Monday’s press conference. “But I’ve been in this league 19 years. I know what human limits look like. That wasn’t human.”
A Game That Went From Football to Fury
Final Score: Packers 35, Steelers 25
Attendance: 67,892
Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh
The Steelers controlled the first half. In his highly publicized Pittsburgh debut, Aaron Rodgers threw for 2 touchdowns, including a 42-yard strike to DK Metcalf, giving the Steelers a 17–10 halftime lead. The Packers seemed in trouble, especially after Jordan Love limped into the locker room following a hit from T.J. Watt.
Then came the Tucker Kraft eruption.
Tucker Kraft – Second-Half Takeover
| Time | Play | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Q3 – 9:42 | Wheel Route | 32-yard TD over Damontae Kazee |
| Q3 – 4:11 | Seam Route | 19-yard TD over Minkah Fitzpatrick |
| Q4 – 12:07 | Broken Play | 47-yard TD, stiff-armed Cam Sutton |
Kraft delivered 3 touchdowns in 18 minutes, finishing with:
✅ 7 receptions
✅ 128 yards
✅ 3 TDs (all in the second half)
The Packers outscored the Steelers 25–8 after halftime, flipping the game into a 10-point comeback win.
Tomlin Goes Nuclear
Tomlin didn’t hold back when pressed postgame about Kraft’s performance:
“Matt LaFleur told me before the game: ‘We’ll find a way.’ I didn’t think he meant this way. Three touchdowns in one half from a guy who had zero last week? I’m not buying it.”
Steelers insiders told Pittsburgh Daily that players were stunned by Kraft’s explosive footwork, 40-inch vertical leaps and ability to play all 38 second-half snaps without subbing out—despite playing through a knee injury suffered in Week 6.
Packers Respond – And It Gets Personal
LaFleur dismissed Tomlin’s accusations instantly:
“Tucker Kraft doesn’t need steroids. He needs targets. We gave him the ball, and he cooked.”
But it was Tucker Kraft who delivered the viral knockout.
Kraft Fires Back: “Excuses Are for Losers”
In a late-night statement posted on social media, Kraft blasted Tomlin and the Steelers:
“If Mike Tomlin has fallen to the point of throwing cheap accusations just because he can’t handle losing, that’s his problem. A real team plays with heart, accepts defeat and rises again — but those who make excuses are nothing but losers.”
He followed it up with an even colder message:
“Test me today, test me tomorrow, test me every damn day—I’ll pass. Maybe the Steelers should test their mentality, because that’s what failed them in the second half.”
NFL Issues Official Response
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed early Monday that the league had received Pittsburgh’s request for targeted testing:
“We are reviewing the submission from the Steelers. Under league policy, any player can be tested at any time.”
Possible Outcomes
| Scenario | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Test Approved | Kraft could be tested within 24 hours |
| First Violation | Up to 4-game suspension |
| Past Precedent | Antonio Brown (2019) – cleared |
Fans Explode Online
Social media turned the controversy into a digital war:
| Account | Reaction |
|---|---|
| @SteelersNation | “Bro turned into Thanos in the second half. Test this man.” |
| @CheeseheadEmpire | “Tomlin crying because TE1 buried his season 😂” |
| @GridironTalk | “If effort is now illegal, suspend the whole Packers offense.” |
| @NFLMemes | “Breaking: Tucker Kraft has been banned from playing on rookie difficulty.” |
What Happens Next?
The Packers move to 5–3 and head into Week 9 vs Minnesota, while the Steelers fall to 4–4 and travel to face the Baltimore Ravens. Kraft is expected to play — unless the NFL steps in first.
For now, this isn’t just a football storyline… this is a war of pride, ego, and accusations. And it’s only getting started.
