'What the f--k, call it!': Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy curse at each other during hot mic moment

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Carton: "Most veteran quarterbacks say ‘with my own performance, I. You know, I need to be better. I'm supposed to be the leader of this team.’ That's what most leaders do, right? No, not our Rogers. He said I need to do a better job, as you just said, then of pointing out to Mike McCarthy how bad a job he's doing when he calls."

When Aaron Rodgers returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers to play for Mike McCarthy this season, everyone recalled the roller-coaster relationship between the quarterback and coach years ago. And Thursday night we got a full-color snapshot of those times.

During the first quarter of the game against the Cleveland Browns, the Steelers pieced together a 17-play drive.

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During that drive full of fits and starts, Rodgers had moments of frustration. And one of those was when he expected the play-call from his coach so he could get about the business of relaying it to the rest of the players in the huddle.

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"What the f——k, call it," Rodgers demanded of his coach while churning his arms.

McCarthy heard him.

Everyone watching the Amazon Prime streaming broadcast heard it.

And when cameras immediately focused on McCarthy, everyone understood his response by reading his lips.

"F—ing a–hole," McCarthy said.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers listens to head coach Mike McCarthy during NFL practice in Pittsburgh on May 20, 2026. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

Lovely.

Viral moment incoming.

We should remember the relationship between the coach and quarterback produced some of the most successful years in Green Bay Packers history, including a Super Bowl XLV championship, multiple division titles, and eight playoff appearances with Rodgers as the starter and McCarthy calling the plays.

But the partnership eventually deteriorated.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) and head coach Mike McCarthy stand on the sideline during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Sep. 16, 2018. (Jeff Hanisch/USA TODAY Sports)

Rodgers and McCarthy reportedly clashed over offensive philosophy, play-calling and communication, while injuries — including Rodgers’ broken collarbone in 2017 — contributed to Green Bay’s decline.

The tension reached its breaking point during the Packers’ disappointing 4-7-1 start in 2018, when McCarthy was fired after a loss to Arizona.

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks on during the national anthem before an NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Jan. 4, 2026. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Despite that difficult ending, Rodgers this season has emphasized that the duo accomplished a great deal together and that their relationship included both "amazing times" and periods when they "butted heads."

The heat of games is certain to offer more of both this season.