PITTSBURGH — Lip readers on social media had a field day with some of the animated and expletive-filled outbursts by Pittsburgh Steelers players in Cleveland this past Thursday night.

But they didn’t need to read lips when quarterback Aaron Rodgers screamed at coach Mike McCarthy to get the plays in quicker. His profanity was picked up by the field microphones.

McCarthy’s grumbled X-rated retort wasn’t as audible, but it was easily deciphered by all who saw it. So much so that the Steelers coach, who apologized after the game for his language, continued to apologize Monday, four days later.

"I'm getting to grandfather age,” McCarthy said at his weekly press conference Monday. “I don't want to be saying those types of words."

McCarthy said he talked with Rodgers about the blowup “numerous” times during the weekend and acknowledged it wasn’t a “normal” situation in their long-time relationship.

“You got to also remember, things don’t always look the way they really are,” McCarthy said. “The facts aren’t always present to what people think the situation is, too. I think some of those instances were that, but we’ve asked these players to trust us. We’ve asked them to do a lot of things that are different than what they’ve done. You’re going to have communication opportunities that may not be exactly the way you prefer them.”

Then he added, “I think we’re better from it.”

McCarthy said part of the frustration could have oozed from a Thursday morning team meeting in which he urged the players to play with more emotion, given the environment in Cleveland. Both teams were 2-1 and the Steelers had lost four consecutive games at Huntington Bank Field.

“That type of game was important to make sure you bring the energy,” McCarthy said. “But with that comes the discipline of it.”

And that was not always evident.

In addition to Rodgers’ outburst, outside linebacker T.J. Watt was seen taking the headset from an assistant coach to have an animated discussion with defensive coordinator Patrick Graham in the coaching box. Also, long-time team captain Cam Heyward was seen yelling on the sidelines, although it was not clear to whom he was directing his anger.

When asked about the incident with Watt, Graham said on Monday, “It was normal football conversation.”

Graham said he would rather have candid conversations with his players than no conversations at all.

“It’s football,” Graham said. “I’m OK with that. Put the camera on me, trust me, I say a lot of stuff. It all goes to this – the beautiful thing is we get to build on and learn from last week. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Too many big plays

McCarthy made a point to exonerate rookie cornerback Daylen Everette for the 61-yard completion to Browns receiver Denzel Boston that led to Cleveland’s second touchdown.

“That was not his play,” McCarthy said.

Everette was seen chasing Boston and made a touchdown-saving tackle. But it was a blown coverage in the secondary that allowed Boston to be running free.

“We need to do a better job in the big-play production,” McCarthy said. “We’ve been in too many big plays.”

Sacked stats

Rodgers has already been sacked 13 times, tied with Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield for most in the league. But his 107 sack yardage is most in the league, although that total is inflated by the fumble and loose ball that resulted in a 36-yard loss in New England.

Being sacked is nothing new for Rodgers. No quarterback in NFL history has been sacked more than the former four-time league MVP (613). He is way ahead of Fran Tarkenton and Russell Wilson, each with 570.

Rodgers, however, is in his 22nd NFL season. Tarkenton played 18 seasons and Wilson 14.

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