Steelers coach Mike McCarthy expressed regret for profanity he used toward quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a heated exchange caught on broadcast of Pittsburgh's 27-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night. Midway through the first quarter, a hot mic caught Rodgers gesturing and yelling toward the sideline, "What the f---? Call it!" The cameras then cut to McCarthy, who appeared upset and muttered a profanity. "Communication sometimes is not the best choice of words, but everybody's competing on the field," McCarthy said. "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 any negative communication on my part, I wish I wouldn't use those words."
Rodgers said crowd noise made communication difficult. It was loud, Rodgers said, "So some of the calls, it was hard to hear for sure." The Steelers' nine-minute, 48-second opening drive -- their longest of the season -- ended with a score, but the offense stagnated in the second and third quarters.
Rodgers completed 22 of 40 attempts for 299 yards, throwing two interceptions while being hit 10 times, including five sacks. McCarthy described the team's first series as "hectic" and added he was "talking fast, more than normal."
The Browns scored 21 straight points before the Steelers' late rally with two touchdowns and a 2-point conversion to tie. The Browns responded with a 56-yard field goal for the win.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing