McCarthy Rodgers exchange: coach’s huge regret in 27-24 loss

Dustin Judge
McCarthy Rodgers exchange: Aaron Rodgers talks with Mike McCarthy in Green Bay in 2018

The McCarthy Rodgers exchange caught on camera Thursday night has Pittsburgh talking. Steelers coach Mike McCarthy said he regrets his choice of words after he and quarterback Aaron Rodgers swore at each other early in a 27-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 1.

What was said in the McCarthy Rodgers exchange

Early in the first quarter, Rodgers was heard on the Prime Video broadcast yelling toward the sideline, “What the f—? Call it!” McCarthy appeared to respond with a profanity of his own, NBC Sports reported.

After the game, McCarthy owned it. “Communication sometimes is not the best choice of words, but everybody’s competing on the field,” he said. “Any negative communication on my part, I wish I wouldn’t use those words.”

Rodgers pointed to the noise. “It was loud,” he said. “So some of the calls, it was hard to hear, for sure.”

How the game unfolded

The McCarthy Rodgers exchange came on a long opening drive. The Steelers’ opening drive ended in a touchdown after 17 plays and nearly 10 minutes, per Bleacher Report. Pittsburgh later trailed 21-7 late in the first half. Rodgers threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Pat Freiermuth with 1:44 left and ran in a 2-point conversion to tie the game, the AP reported.

Browns kicker Andre Szmyt then hit a career-long 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds left. Grant Delpit intercepted Rodgers with one second left. Rodgers finished 22 of 40 for 299 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Pittsburgh fell to 2-2, and Cleveland improved to 3-1. Our Browns-Steelers recap has the full game story.

A reunion with history

McCarthy coached Rodgers in Green Bay from 2006 to 2018 and won Super Bowl XLV with him after the 2010 season. Now they are together again in Pittsburgh. The McCarthy Rodgers exchange became the talk of the week after a night when the offense stalled for long stretches.

The Steelers face Indianapolis next. For more, read our story on Rodgers’ Thursday record chase and our Steelers vs. Browns preview.

Dustin Judge is the Founder and CEO of Total Apex Media, bringing more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience to the company's growing network of digital publications. He specializes in sports, sports betting, fantasy sports, and digital publishing, with a focus on producing accurate, timely, and engaging content for readers. Dustin oversees editorial strategy, content development, and publishing operations across Total Apex Media while remaining actively involved in sports, betting, and fantasy sports coverage.