Smith unsurprisingly had a lot to say about the Pittsburgh Steelers losing to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night. The ESPN pundit began Friday's "First Take" with a heated rant about the Steelers, who fell to 2-2 after a 27-24 road loss to their AFC North rival. "I want to apologize on behalf of Steeler Nation," Smith said.
"I'm sick of the [expletive] Steelers. I'm sick of them." Aaron Rodgers threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns, but the 42-year-old took a beating in the pocket. Cleveland amassed 10 quarterback hits and five sacks, leading Smith to admonish Pittsburgh's offensive line.
"Aaron Rodgers sacked 13 times this season, hit eight more times than anybody else," Smith noted. "...You know he's a senior citizen. You know he's about to retire.
Can you protect the brother?" Smith continued to vent about the Steelers before host Shae Cornette could even pose a question for the opening segment. "Listen, I know we have to get into the game. But I'm just so disgusted on behalf of Steeler Nation everywhere," Smith said.
"We just know you're not going anywhere." The Steelers replaced head coach Mike Tomlin with Mike McCarthy after three consecutive 10-7 seasons ended with a first-round playoff exit. Smith, a vocal critic of the organization, doesn't seem to have high hopes of Pittsburgh improving. And still, we ain't won a [expletive] playoff game since 2016," Smith said.
"Since 2016 we haven't won a damn playoff game. And I'm looking at this last night. And now the Cleveland Browns -- the Cleveland Browns! -- are ahead of us in the damn AFC North." The Steelers can attempt to subdue Smith's rage when they play the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5.
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