NFLOct 2
McCarthy regrets heated sideline moment with Rodgers in Steelers’ loss
Pittsburgh’s coach owned a profane exchange caught on the broadcast after a 27-24 defeat in Cleveland, as a strong opening drive faded and a late rally fell short.
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Sideline tension surfaces early
Steelers coach Mike McCarthy said he regretted using profanity toward quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a first-quarter exchange that landed on the broadcast of Thursday’s 27-24 loss to the Browns. A frustrated Rodgers had gestured toward the sideline demanding a call before cameras showed McCarthy muttering in response. McCarthy framed it as competitive emotion and poor word choice, saying on-field talk usually stays there and that he wished he had not used those words. He called the opening series hectic and said he was talking faster than usual.
Fast start, then a stall
That first drive lasted 9 minutes and 38 seconds—Pittsburgh’s longest of the season—and ended with a 12-yard Roman Wilson touchdown. Noise made communication hard, Rodgers noted. Momentum did not carry. An interception after four plays on the next series led to a Browns touchdown four plays later. Cleveland scored 21 straight points while the Steelers’ following six possessions netted just 101 yards and finished with four punts, a missed field goal, and a made kick. Tight end Pat Freiermuth called the inability to keep moving the ball deflating.
Late surge not enough
Rodgers and the offense answered in the fourth with two touchdowns and a quarterback sneak for a two-point conversion that tied the game with under two minutes left. Cleveland drove into range and won on a 56-yard field goal. Rodgers finished 22 of 40 for 299 yards with two interceptions, was hit 10 times, and took five sacks—all against man coverage. He has been sacked an NFL-worst 12 times versus man this season, seven more than any other quarterback. McCarthy cited protection issues and an aggressive Browns plan in a herky-jerky, competitive night, while Rodgers credited Cleveland’s defense and owned missed throws on longer downs.
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