Warning: Video contains coarse language
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike McCarthy regrets cursing at quarterback Aaron Rodgers in an exchange early on Thursday Night Football that saw them both drop expletives.
"Everybody's competing on the field," McCarthy said after the Steelers fell 27-24 to the Cleveland Browns. "What's said on the field - the way I grew up in this game - usually stays on the field. That's not the case today, I understand that, but any negative communication on my part, I wish I wouldn't use those words."
The incident took place on the Steelers' first drive of the game. An animated Rodgers began screaming in McCarthy's direction while waiting for a play-call to come in. McCarthy responded by appearing to call his quarterback a "f-----g asshole."
Now, I'm not the best lip reader, but I don't think Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy were exchanging too many happy words here. pic.twitter.com/FFQ7h9zA4P
— The Goal Line Grind (@theGLgrind) October 2, 2026
Despite the outburst, the Steelers wound up finishing a methodical 17-play series in the Browns' end zone.
"First drive was hectic," McCarthy explained. "Ended up being about 20 plays. I was talking faster than normal. I think once we settled in after that drive - which resulted in a touchdown - I thought the communication was solid."
Rodgers credited the Browns' crowd for disrupting the communication throughout the game.
"It was loud," Rodgers said. "It was definitely a good crowd tonight. It was loud so some of the calls (were) hard to hear, for sure."
Rodgers threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns in the loss. He also committed two interceptions, including one on a last-ditch deep ball after the Browns kicked a 56-yard field goal in the final 10 seconds.
