Mike McCarthy Regrets Heated Aaron Rodgers Blowup After Steelers Loss: ‘I Wish I Wouldn't Use Those Words’
“Would Never Happen”: Aaron Rodgers' Sideline Meltdown With Mike McCarthy Draws Brutal Mike Tomlin Comparison 1
Aaron Rodgers was caught on a hot mic yelling at his own sideline in Cleveland. The Steelers quarterback threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-24 loss to the Browns last Thursday, yet the loudest moment came in the first quarter.
Now a former Pittsburgh star has used that scene to measure the team against its past, and his pick of comparison may sting.
Le’Veon Bell says Aaron Rodgers’ outburst would not happen under Tomlin
Former Pittsburgh Steelers’ running back Le’Veon Bell believes the sideline scene in Cleveland would have gone differently with Mike Tomlin still in charge. Blitzburgh shared his comments on X.
“Would never happen if Mike Tomlin was on that sideline. Never. He’s not grabbing that headset, screaming, I don’t even know who he’s yelling at. Mike Tomlin, that’s never happened with him,” Le’Veon Bell said.
Bell framed it as a culture shift in Pittsburgh. Tomlin led the team for 19 consecutive seasons before Mike McCarthy took over.
NFL Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) celebrate after defeating the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
He also used T.J. Watt as the measuring stick.
“The Steelers look different. T.J. was never like that. You don’t ever see T.J. just going off. If he’s going off, he’s going off on his team or the guys, pumping them up. Never on the coaches upstairs,” he added.
Le’Veon Bell believes Aaron Rodgers would never have in-game outbursts under Tomlin: “Would never happen if Mike Tomlin was on that sideline. Never. He’s not grabbing that headset, screaming, I don’t even know who he’s yelling at. Mike Tomlin, that’s never happened with him. But you can see that’s the change in culture. It’s a different change in culture when I’m looking at it on the sidelines. The Steelers look different. T.J. was never like that. You don’t ever see T.J. just going off. If he’s going off, he’s going off on his team or the guys, pumping them up. Never on the coaches upstairs.” #Steelers #NFL
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) October 6, 2026
That is a pointed claim for a team still searching for offensive rhythm. Pittsburgh is 2-2, and Rodgers has thrown seven touchdowns and four interceptions through four games with an 81.6 passer rating.
That is not the steady offense Pittsburgh expected. The Rodgers and McCarthy reunion was supposed to fix that. Rodgers has said he returned for one final year because of McCarthy, his coach in Green Bay from 2006 to 2018.
While Bell’s comparison drew the attention, how the exchange unfolded in Cleveland and how McCarthy and Rodgers responded afterward tells the rest of the story.
What happened between Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy
The exchange came in the first quarter. Rodgers yelled “Call it” toward the sideline as the play clock wound down, and the Prime Video cameras then cut to McCarthy, who appeared to fire back a profane reply.
McCarthy later said he wished he had not used those words, per Pro Football Talk. He added that “everybody’s competing on the field.”
That kind of back and forth between Rodgers and McCarthy is not new for the pair. Al Michaels noted on the broadcast that similar sideline spats happened during their years in Green Bay.
Sep 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Sep 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Rodgers did not address the exchange directly. He said crowd noise made communication hard.
The opening drive still ended in a touchdown. The offense then went quiet through the middle quarters. Rodgers finished 22-of-40 for 299 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, and Cleveland sacked him five times.
Pittsburgh tied it late with a touchdown and a two-point conversion, but Andre Szmyt kicked a 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds left. Rodgers’ Hail Mary was then intercepted.
The Steelers sit at 2-2 and host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Oct. 11, at 1 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh beat Indianapolis 27-20 last November. Rodgers and McCarthy now get a chance to show the sideline is back in sync.
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