Steelers' Mason McCormick Avoids Fine, Leaving Jared Verse With Another Hilarious Setback

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns have spent a full week arguing about one play from Pittsburgh's 27-6 win, and the NFL has finally weighed in, at least in its own quiet way. The league handed out fines from the game this week, but guard Mason McCormick was not on the list. That is a small win for the Steelers' offensive line, and it is one more frustrating development for Browns edge rusher Jared Verse, who has not been quiet about the play.

The play came in the first quarter, on Chris Boswell's extra point after a nine-yard touchdown run by Rico Dowdle. Verse jumped to try to block the kick, and McCormick took his legs out and put him on the turf. Officials flagged McCormick for unnecessary roughness, and the 15 yards were enforced on the kickoff.

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported that McCormick was not fined, and he pointed out that the league does not explain those decisions.

"It's unclear why the league didn't fine McCormick. The league never explains the basis for not imposing a financial penalty on a given player."

Florio also suggested that the league did not seem very bothered by the play, much like the Browns players who did not come to Verse's defense in the moment.

Steelers Guard Got The Last Word

That second part is what has bothered Verse the most. He spent the week before the game trash-talking the Steelers, and after the loss, he said it hurt that nobody on his own team reacted when McCormick dumped him.

"The lack of reaction by those around me upset me a lot," Verse told reporters. "A similar play happened to Derek Barnett on I think the next field goal, and I lost it."

Verse also called the play dirty. He said it "was the play that made me got me to be really angry," according to Pro Football Talk and he accused McCormick of trying to "sweep my legs out."

The Browns' coaching staff took Verse's side earlier in the week. Special teams coordinator Byron Storer said the Browns would never coach that kind of play, according to Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot.

"Take his legs out and slam him to the ground, there's no way we would discuss that," Storer said. "That's not what we're about."

Storer added that the Browns are "not trying to hurt anybody." That pushback came after a week in which Verse was one of the loudest voices in the rivalry, taking shots at the Steelers and running back Jaylen Warren before the game. SteelerNation covered the Browns' accusation against McCormick after those comments.

The league's decision does not mean it approved of the play. McCormick still drew a 15-yard penalty. But by not fining him, the NFL did not treat it as the kind of dangerous hit that usually brings a financial penalty.

Verse May Not Be Done Talking

Florio does not expect this to be the end of it. The Browns play the New Orleans Saints at 1 p.m. on Sunday, and he wrote that "it's likely that Verse will have something to say about it after Sunday's game at the Saints."

That would fit everything Verse has done this season. He has talked plenty, but he still does not have a sack in eight games with Cleveland. SteelerNation also looked at how the loss exposed problems in the Browns' locker room earlier this week.

For the Steelers, McCormick's play has become part of the identity of a young offensive line that likes to talk and hit. This week, McCormick summed up the room's attitude in three words.

"Nobody's too sensitive," McCormick said, via Steelers.com.

The Steelers are 6-2 and resting on their bye week, and they do not play the Browns again this season. If Verse wants to keep the feud going, he will have to do it from a distance.

This story was produced with the help of AI and reviewed by SteelerNation editors.

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