Mike McCarthy regretted his role in a viral moment with Aaron Rodgers on "Thursday Night Football." The Pittsburgh Steelers appeared to have communication issues on the road during a 27-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns. During the first quarter, an incensed Rodgers screamed toward the sideline while waiting for a play call on first down. "What the f***?" Rodgers yelled.
"Call it." The Prime Video broadcast then cut to a smirking McCarthy appearing to mouth "f******* a******" toward his longtime quarterback. After the game, McCarthy told reporters that his comments were "not the best choice of words." "Everybody's competing on the field," McCarthy said, via NFL Network. "I think what’s said on the field, the way I grew up, usually stays on the field.
That's not the case today. But any negative communication on my part, I wish I wouldn’t use those words." Rodgers didn't directly address the tense moment after the game, but the 42-year-old discussed the challenge of picking up play calls at Huntington Bank Stadium. "It was loud," Rodgers said.
"It was definitely a good crowd tonight. So some of the calls, it was hard to hear for sure." Although that play resulted in an incomplete pass, the Steelers took a 7-0 lead after a 17-play drive. Rodgers tossed three touchdowns for the second straight game and tallied a season-high 299 passing yards.
"First drive was hectic … I was talking faster than normal," McCarthy said. "So I think once we settled in after that drive, which resulted in a touchdown, I thought the communication was solid." The Steelers tied the game with a late touchdown and successful two-point conversion, but Andre Szmyt hit a game-winning 56-yard field goal for the Browns with 10 seconds remaining. Cleveland intercepted Rodgers' Hail Mary to secure the win and take the AFC North lead.
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