Steelers coach Mike McCarthy expressed regret over the profanity he directed toward quarterback Aaron Rodgers during Pittsburgh’s 27-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night. The exchange was captured by the broadcast during the first quarter.
Midway through the quarter, a hot microphone picked up a frustrated Rodgers gesturing and shouting toward the sideline, “What the f—? Call it!” Cameras then showed McCarthy, who appeared upset and muttered a profanity.
McCarthy acknowledged that his language did not reflect how he wanted to communicate. “Communication sometimes is not the best choice of words, but everybody’s competing on the field,” McCarthy said.
He also directly addressed his part in the exchange. “But any negative communication on my part, I wish I wouldn’t use those words.”
McCarthy described Pittsburgh’s first series as “hectic” and said he was “talking fast, more than normal.” That opening possession ended with a Roman Wilson touchdown from 12 yards.
Rodgers pointed to the crowd noise as one of the challenges Pittsburgh encountered while trying to communicate. “It was definitely a good crowd tonight. It was loud,” Rodgers said.
He said some of the calls were difficult to hear, and his visible frustration continued beyond the exchange captured by the hot microphone. Rodgers showed exasperation as he came off the field at multiple points throughout the night.
Pittsburgh’s opening drive lasted nine minutes and 48 seconds, making it the Steelers’ longest of the season. Although the possession ended with a score, the offense stagnated during the second and third quarters.
Tight end Pat Freiermuth described Pittsburgh’s inability to maintain its early offensive momentum as deflating. He said the offense wanted to continue moving the ball and put the defense in better situations.
Rodgers threw an interception that ended the Steelers’ second drive after four plays. Cleveland converted the turnover into a touchdown four plays later.
The Browns scored 21 straight points as Pittsburgh’s offense struggled to answer. The Steelers gained 101 yards across their next six possessions, which ended with four punts, a missed field goal and a made field goal.
“It wasn’t our cleanest game all the way around,” Rodgers said. He credited Cleveland’s defense while also saying the Browns pressured Pittsburgh on long yardage situations and that he missed a couple of throws he usually completes.
The Steelers responded with a furious comeback during the fourth quarter. Pittsburgh scored two touchdowns, then Rodgers converted a 2-point conversion on a quarterback sneak to tie the score with less than two minutes remaining.
Cleveland answered by driving into field goal territory. The Browns then kicked a 56-yard game winner to secure the 27-24 result.
Rodgers completed 22 of 40 attempts for 299 yards , 3 touchdowns, and threw two interceptions. He was also hit 10 times, including five sacks.
Each of the five sacks occurred when Rodgers faced man defense. According to ESPN Research, Rodgers has been sacked an NFL worst 12 times against man defense, seven more than any other quarterback this season.
McCarthy said Pittsburgh encountered problems protecting Rodgers and credited Cleveland’s work up front. “We had some protection challenges,” McCarthy said.
He also described the Browns’ approach as aggressive and the setting as highly competitive. “I kind of expected some of it, but I thought it was a very competitive environment tonight.”