Steelers Coach Mike McCarthy Regrets Sideline Tirade Against Aaron Rodgers
McCarthy expressed remorse for his choice of words after being captured on camera calling his quarterback a 'f***ing a**hole' during a loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy has stated he regrets his choice of words after being caught on camera calling quarterback Aaron Rodgers a "f*ing ahole" during a recent game. The incident occurred during the Steelers' 27-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night, which dropped the team's record to 2-2.
Cameras captured Rodgers, 42, audibly frustrated during an offensive drive, shouting, "What the f***? Call it!" to the sideline while his teammates waited in the huddle. McCarthy's response, captured by microphones, was a profane retort directed at his quarterback.
Following the game, McCarthy addressed the confrontation, acknowledging that his communication could have been more professional. "Communication sometimes is not the best choice of words, but everybody's competing on the field," McCarthy said. "And I think 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 yeah, any negative communication on my part, I wish I wouldn't use those words."
This is not the first instance of Rodgers expressing frustration publicly this season. During the Steelers' previous win against the Cincinnati Bengals, cameras also caught the quarterback exclaiming, "That play fin sucks a. Fing sucks a!"
After a 20-3 loss to the New England Patriots earlier in the season, Rodgers also voiced concerns about the team's play-calling. "In a game like today where there wasn't a lot of flow to it, we need to be better," Rodgers stated. "And that starts with me at making sure Mike knows what's working, what's not working, our coaches know, so we can call stuff that we feel like has a better chance."
Rodgers and McCarthy have a long history, having spent over a decade together with the Green Bay Packers, where they secured a Super Bowl victory at the conclusion of the 2010 season. They reunited with the Steelers before the 2026 campaign, which is reportedly Rodgers' final season.
In the same game against the Browns, Steelers star T.J. Watt was also seen losing his temper, snatching a coach's headset and shouting at his defensive coordinator.