Archive · 2 Oct 2026
McCarthy Regrets Heated Exchange With Rodgers After Steelers Loss
The Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Cleveland Browns by a score of 27-24.
During the game, Aaron Rodgers and coach Mike McCarthy had an angry exchange on the sideline.
Television microphones picked up some of the words.
McCarthy later said he wished he had used different language.
Rodgers said the stadium was very loud, which made it hard to hear some calls.
Cleveland’s defense then made it difficult for Pittsburgh to move the ball.
Pittsburgh scored twice late and tied the game.
Cleveland kicked a long field goal at the end and won.
Mike McCarthy said he regrets using negative language toward Aaron Rodgers during Pittsburgh’s 27-24 loss to Cleveland.
A hot microphone captured Rodgers yelling toward the sideline during Pittsburgh’s opening drive in a loud stadium.
Rodgers said crowd noise made some play calls difficult to hear, while McCarthy described the opening series as hectic.
Cleveland scored 21 unanswered points after Pittsburgh’s opening touchdown, forcing four punts, a missed field goal and one made field goal.
Pittsburgh rallied to tie the game late, but Cleveland won with a 56-yard field goal; Rodgers finished with 299 yards, two interceptions and five sacks.
- Who
- Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike McCarthy, quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Cleveland Browns were involved.
- What
- The Cleveland Browns defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24, while a heated McCarthy-Rodgers exchange drew attention.
- When
- Thursday night; the exact date was not specified.
- Where
- At the stadium where Pittsburgh played Cleveland; the stadium’s name was not specified.
- Why
- Cleveland won after a late 56-yard field goal, following a game in which its defense disrupted Pittsburgh’s offense.
McCarthy’s View
Rodgers’ View
Cause of the sideline tension
McCarthy’s View
Mike McCarthy described the opening series as hectic and said he was talking faster than usual, while acknowledging that he regretted his negative language.
Rodgers’ View
Aaron Rodgers connected the confusion to the stadium’s noise, saying some calls were difficult to hear.
Reason for Pittsburgh’s offensive struggles
McCarthy’s View
Mike McCarthy said Pittsburgh faced protection challenges and credited Cleveland’s aggressive front and competitive defensive game plan.
Rodgers’ View
Aaron Rodgers credited Cleveland’s defense, accepted some blame for missed throws and said Pittsburgh struggled on long-yardage plays.
- Final score
- Cleveland Browns 27, Pittsburgh Steelers 24
- Exchange
- A hot microphone captured a heated sideline exchange between Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers.
- Opening drive
- Pittsburgh’s first series lasted 9 minutes and 48 seconds and ended with a 12-yard touchdown catch by Roman Wilson.
- Cleveland’s run
- The Cleveland Browns scored 21 unanswered points after Pittsburgh’s opening touchdown.
- Late rally
- Pittsburgh scored two touchdowns and used an Aaron Rodgers quarterback sneak for a two-point conversion to tie the game late.
- Winning play
- Cleveland won on a 56-yard field goal.
- Rodgers’ statistics
- Aaron Rodgers completed 22 of 40 passes for 299 yards, with two interceptions; he was hit 10 times and sacked five times.