Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy takes the field before the game at Huntington Bank Field.
Pat Freiermuth Clears Up Mike McCarthy's 'Clean Our Own House' Remark Amid Steelers' 2-2 Start 1
Mike McCarthy’s “clean our own house” comment quickly became one of the biggest talking points around the Pittsburgh Steelers. After a 27-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns, the phrase sounded to some like a sign that deeper problems were developing inside the team.
Pat Freiermuth, though, says that the interpretation missed the point. The Steelers tight end offered a much simpler explanation Tuesday, saying the head coach was talking about correcting what the Steelers had put on film through the first four games.
Pat Freiermuth Explains Mike McCarthy’s Message to Pittsburgh Steelers
Jun 9, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy speaks during Minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy speaks during Minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Freiermuth said the Steelers were using their extended break to review the first quarter of the season, identify areas that needed improvement and get on the same page before their next stretch of games.
“I think people got took that inaccurately. It was more so of us going over the first four weeks, what we can get better at, going on the same page, and what we can do over the next four weeks until the bye week. Everything is good in the locker room. We are working to win. We’re 2-2, we wish we were better, but there are things on film that are correctable that we are able to fix.”
Pat Freiermuth on Mike McCarthy's 'we need to clean our own house comment,' says people's interpretation of it was incorrect.
"I think people got took that inaccurately. It was more so of us going over the first four weeks, what we can get better at, going on the same page, and…
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) October 6, 2026
McCarthy originally made that remark on Monday while discussing the Steelers’ need to self-scout following the loss to the Browns. The wording sparked plenty of speculation, especially after an emotional game that included a heated exchange between McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers; however, Freiermuth made it clear that the head coach’s message focused on football rather than any locker-room issues.
Pittsburgh has plenty to examine. The Steelers opened the season with a win over the Atlanta Falcons before losing 20-3 to the New England Patriots. They responded with a 30-27 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, only to fall to the Browns in Week 4.
The Browns’ loss was especially frustrating because the Steelers fought back after falling behind 21-10. Rodgers helped lead two fourth-quarter touchdown drives, including a touchdown to Freiermuth that tied the game late. The Browns ultimately won on Andre Szmyt’s 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining.
McCarthy and his staff are reviewing the opening four games before turning their attention toward the Indianapolis Colts. The Steelers then face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New Orleans Saints on the road before hosting the Cleveland Browns again ahead of their Week 9 bye.
That distinction does matter for a Steelers team that has shown both encouraging stretches and obvious problems through four weeks. The offense has been inconsistent, while the defense has also struggled to maintain the level expected from one of the league’s most expensive units.
None of that means the locker room is falling apart, according to Freiermuth. Now at 2-2, the Steelers certainly have things to clean up; however, their tight end wants the focus to stay on correcting those football issues rather than turning McCarthy’s words into something they were not.