When it comes to veterans like Aaron Rodgers and T.J. Watt’s contributions to the NFL, they have done enough. But at the end of the day, how a player maintains his composure and presents himself while on the gridiron still carries a lot of weight. Both Watt and Rodgers drew criticism after voicing their frustration during the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 27-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns, after which an NFL insider called on them to apologize.
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“Both Aaron Rodgers and TJ Watt are extraordinary players,” wrote Emmy/NABJ Awarded Journalist and senior NFL Insider, Josina Anderson, on X. “Rodgers a future Hall of Famer, & Watt an 8x Pro Bowler & 2021 Defensive Player of the Year. Their accomplishments demand respect. However, professional status doesn’t give them a free pass, at work, to disrespect, undermine and humiliate their head coach and defensive coordinator respectively—especially in front of a national audience.
“We all know passions are high in the heat of battle, but the goal of sports is to do things that build a team and bring it together to win. Hopefully both players offer apologies that are as demonstrative as their outbursts Thursday night, whilst fully helping to stir the ship forward.”
The Pittsburgh vs. Cleveland face-off comprised a lot of hot mic moments. The Steelers quarterback’s patience ran thin in the first quarter itself, as he was seen visibly upset with head coach Mike McCarthy. Rodgers and Co. were going scoreless when the quarterback appeared impatient on a first-and-10 in Cleveland territory. His frustration spiked as McCarthy had still not made the play call with over 20 seconds remaining. That’s when the Thursday Night Football broadcast’s overhead camera captured a fired-up version of Rodgers in front of the crowd.
Clearly frustrated, Rodgers turned toward the sideline, spread his arms, and yelled, “What? What the f***?! Call it!”
It did not end there, as the head coach revealed his quick-tempered version.
“F*****’ a******.”
Even though Rodgers has yet to apologize, McCarthy regretted the angry exchange he had with his long-time acquaintance.
“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.”
While McCarthy has realized his mistake, Rodgers’ behavior did not sit well with a former Steelers lineman.
“Man, he might be a great locker room guy, and his teammates love him, but ARod’s game day behavior is despicable,” the 2x Super Bowl winner, Trai Essex, wrote on X after the game.
Turns out Rodgers is not the only one from the Steelers camp to find himself in the hot seat. Linebacker Watt has dedicated his entire NFL career to Pittsburgh ever since he got drafted in 2017, so his passion for the franchise is extremely strong. The fans got a glimpse of it during the Browns face-off.
Pittsburgh’s 7-0 first-quarter lead quickly faded as Cleveland put together three consecutive touchdown drives of more than 55 yards to go into halftime up 21-10. The Steelers eventually got things under control defensively, and Watt was shown visibly frustrated while grabbing a headset and apparently checking in with defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, per the NFL on Prime Video broadcast.
Going by the clip, Watt kept on saying without taking a pause and handed back the headset. In that case, it was likely a one-sided conversation, as Watt was so upset that he did not let the person on the other side speak.
“Call the [expletive] players better, what the [expletive], man?” he may have said, as per what many shared on social media after reading his lips.
Watt’s frustration spilled over to the post-game presser as he voiced his frustration after slipping to last place in the AFC North with 2-2 record.
“It’s extremely frustrating to not be sitting here 3-1. It isn’t acceptable,” the linebacker shared. “Obviously, there’s a long season to go, but, we just have to put it together.”
It has been over 24 hours since the game, yet neither Rodgers nor Watt has issued an apology.