ST.Legendary Commentator Pat McAfee Speaks Out To Defend Steelers Live On ESPN, Accusing NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Of “Rigging The Outcome” After Browns’ Controversial Win Over Steelers

The AFC North clash between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns should have been remembered for the final score on the board. Instead, it ignited a firestorm after longtime ESPN commentator 

Pat McAfee went on air to defend the Steelers and leveled a stunning accusation at NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

During Sunday night’s broadcast, McAfee did not hide his frustration over a series of controversial decisions that he believed tilted the game in Cleveland’s favor. Questionable penalties at critical moments, extended reviews, and inconsistent officiating fueled outrage among Steelers fans — and McAfee gave voice to that anger on a national stage.

“I’ve defended this league for many years,” McAfee said on air. “But when, time after time, every critical moment tilts to one side, when obvious things get ignored and logic completely disappears, you can’t just pretend you don’t see it. At that point, you’re forced to ask — is this still the fair game of football we love, or is something else being scripted right in front of millions of people?”

The remarks spread rapidly across social media, where Steelers fans flooded timelines with clips dissecting each disputed play. Many felt McAfee articulated a long-simmering frustration: the belief that Pittsburgh too often ends up on the wrong side of crucial calls in high-stakes games.

While McAfee did not present specific proof of “rigging,” his decision to name Goodell directly — the league’s top authority — sent shockwaves through the NFL media landscape. As a former NFL player and one of the most influential voices in sports media, McAfee understood the risk inherent in such a claim, which only amplified the impact of his words.

The Browns, for their part, declined to engage publicly, maintaining that their victory was earned on the field. The NFL also offered no immediate response, a silence that only intensified the anger within the Steelers community.

Notably, McAfee spoke not merely as an analyst, but as a conduit for fan emotion — voicing concerns that when trust in fairness erodes, the damage extends beyond a single result to the credibility of the entire league.

As the NFL enters the decisive stretch of the regular season, the reverberations from McAfee’s comments continue to echo. The game may be over, but the question he raised — about the integrity of football itself — still hangs over the league.

Steelers Have Exactly What The New York Giants Want In A New Coach: ‘That’s What They Are Looking For’

The Pittsburgh Steelers could look very different when the 2026 season comes around. The team still has hope for a successful end to the 2025 season, but the group would have to take down the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18 in order to win the AFC North and clinch a spot in the postseason. If that does not happen, it is fair to assume that some significant changes could be made, especially if the group gets blown out like it did in the Wild Card Round of the postseason nearly a year ago. This is essentially a playoff game, and that is easy to see with the stakes surrounding the matchup.

The Steelers had a chance to clinch the division in Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns, but the franchise ruined that opportunity as the team was upset by Cleveland on the road. Week 18’s matchup with Baltimore will see one team’s season end, while the other will have the opportunity to compete in a relatively wide open AFC playoff bracket. There is a chance the Steelers could win, but a lot of fans are already focused on the offseason and what changes could be made. NFL insider Dianna Russini recently went on 

The Herdwhere she shared that Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith could be getting looked at by teams like the New York Giants.

“Arthur Smith is a name that I think is gonna make some rounds here once again, to get an opportunity,” Russini said. “Because Arthur has a really good, obviously, offensive mind, but he’s not scared of these players. He’s not scared to go up to the best guy on the team and say, ‘Yeah, that’s not good enough.’ And that’s what the New York Giants are looking for. Because accountability is the biggest flaw in that building.”

Russini name dropped the Giants specifically, but there is a chance that Smith could be getting looks from several teams that have or are expected to have an opening at head coach. The Giants have been putting a plan together for their next head coach for several weeks now since the organization fired Brian Daboll in the middle of the season, and it is fair to assume an experienced coach like Smith might be on that list.

Smith made a name for himself as the offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans in 2019 and 2020, and he was ultimately hired as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. He spent three seasons as the head coach there, but he failed to make the postseason in each year. He kept the team somewhat competitive while never really having a legitimate starting quarterback, so his time as a head coach isn’t seen as a major failure. Atlanta went 7-10 in each season with Smith running the show.

Smith once again is working with less than most teams in Pittsburgh. His offensive numbers are not spectacular, but he has a young offensive line, an aging quarterback, and a less than average wide receiver room. Based off of Russini’s statement, other organization’s around the league are impressed with what he has been able to do in Pittsburgh.

Steelers’ Mike Tomlin Also Could Be A Possibility For The Giants

In addition to Smith, Head Coach Mike Tomlin has also been brought up as a potential hire for the Giants. This would be much more complicated than New York going after Smith, and it would essentially take all three sides agreeing to the same deal. Tomlin and the Steelers would have to want to part ways, while the Giants would have to be willing to rework a contract with Tomlin while giving up significant draft capital to Pittsburgh.