Steelers' Aaron Rodgers gives blunt reaction to controversial no call in loss to Browns

Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers' Aaron Rodgers gives blunt reaction to controversial no call in loss to Browns

Rodgers and the Steelers came up short against the Browns

Ryan Gaydos Fox News

Published

December 29, 2025 11:46am EST

Video

Time for the Steelers to move off Mike Tomlin? | The Herd

Ben Roethlisberger said on a podcast that Pittsburgh Steelers HC Mike Tomlin "needs a fresh start". Colin Cowherd asks if it’s time for the Steelers and Tomlin to part ways.

NEW

You can now listen to Fox News articles!

Pittsburgh Steelers star Aaron Rodgers echoed what many NFL fans thought on his final play against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Rodgers thought wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling was interfered with as he tried to catch a pass over Browns cornerback Denzel Ward in the end zone on 4th-and-goal. Valdes-Scantling and Ward jumped for the ball at the same time. Ward had his back turned and landed on the receiver as both players hit the ground.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) reacts in the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on Dec. 28, 2025. (Ken Blaze/Imagn Images)

However, no flag was thrown. The Steelers turned the ball over and the Browns won the game, 13-6.

"It was definitely interference," Rodgers said when asked about what he saw on the final play. "I’ll have to look at the film on second and third down."

Rodgers suggested he had all the confidence in the world in Valdes-Scantling to make the play.

NFL FANS FUME AS STEELERS' FINAL TD ATTEMPT ENDS WITH CONTROVERSIAL NO CALL

Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) and safety Donovan McMillon (31) celebrate after the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field on Dec. 28, 2025. (Ken Blaze/Imagn Images)

The veteran wide receiver’s number was called multiple times during the final series. The Steelers just couldn’t execute.

"He had eligibles on the play, and certainly he was one of them, and he's a capable guy," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said on Rodgers’ decisions. "I have no qualms about us playing to win the game and the way that we did."

Ward said afterward he thought he had good position on the final play, adding that he wasn’t worried about the contact.

Bundle FOX One and FOX Nation to stream the entire FOX Nation library, plus live FOX News, Sports, and Entertainment at our lowest price of the year. The offer ends on Jan. 4, 2026. (Fox One; Fox Nation)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The Steelers now have a winner-takes-all game against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18. The game will determine who wins the AFC North and gets a playoff spot.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

Steelers' Aaron Rodgers gives blunt reaction to controversial no call in loss to Browns