If you’re waking up and checking your phone to see if you need to stock up on Iron City beer for a kickoff, I’ve got some tough news. No, the Pittsburgh Steelers do not play today. Honestly, the season ended a lot faster than anyone in the 412 wanted it to. After that brutal 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans on Monday night, the locker room is basically empty, and the equipment managers are already packing away the pads for the winter.
It’s weird, right? One week you're celebrating an AFC North title, and the next, the entire franchise feels like it’s in a blender.
Why the Steelers aren't on the field
The short answer is they’re out. Eliminated. Done.
Pittsburgh managed to claw their way to a 10-7 record this past 2025 season, which was honestly a bit of a miracle given some of the offensive struggles we saw in the middle of the year. They even secured the division on that final Sunday night against the Ravens. But the Wild Card round was a different story. They ran into a buzzsaw in Houston, and now the rest of the NFL playoffs will go on without them.
The end of the Mike Tomlin era
The real reason today feels so heavy for Steelers fans isn't just the lack of a game. It’s the bombshell that dropped right after the loss. Mike Tomlin has officially stepped down. After 19 seasons, the man is actually moving on. It’s hard to wrap your head around. Most fans under the age of 30 literally don't remember a time when someone else was roaming that sideline. He finished his career tied with the legendary Chuck Noll at 193 regular-season wins. That’s a lot of winning.
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But, as we saw on Monday, the postseason has been a different beast lately. Seven straight playoff losses is a stat that's hard to ignore, and it seems like both Tomlin and Art Rooney II decided it was time for a fresh voice.
What happens now?
Since there’s no game to watch, the focus has shifted entirely to the "Help Wanted" sign at Acrisure Stadium. This isn't a normal coaching search. The Steelers have only had three head coaches since 1969. To put that in perspective, the Cleveland Browns have had about three coaches since you started reading this paragraph.
The rumor mill is already spinning at 100 mph. We’re hearing names like Klay Kubiak from the 49ers and even internal candidates like Brian Flores. The front office—Omar Khan and "The Khan Artist" crew—is looking for stability, but they also know the league is changing.
The Aaron Rodgers situation
Then there’s the quarterback. Aaron Rodgers is 42. He had a decent 2025, but with Tomlin gone, does he even want to be here for 2026? He came to Pittsburgh specifically to play for Mike. Without that connection, we might be looking at a total rebuild under center.
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Looking ahead to the 2026 schedule
Even though they aren't playing today, we already know who they’ll be lining up against next autumn. Because they won the North, they’ve earned a "first-place schedule," which is a fancy way of saying it’s going to be a gauntlet.
Home Games at Acrisure Stadium:
- Baltimore Ravens (The usual bloodbath)
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Cleveland Browns
- Atlanta Falcons
- Carolina Panthers
- Denver Broncos
- Houston Texans (Revenge game, anyone?)
- Indianapolis Colts
Away Games on the Road:
- Baltimore, Cincy, and Cleveland (obviously)
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- New England Patriots
- New Orleans Saints
- Philadelphia Eagles (The Battle of PA is always wild)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Tennessee Titans
One thing to note: there are no West Coast trips on the 2026 schedule. No jet lag to worry about next year, which is a small victory for a team that's going to be undergoing a massive identity shift.
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What you should do today instead
Since the Black and Gold are idle, you’ve got some options. You could watch the Divisional Round games and scout the teams that actually made it through. Or, better yet, head over to the local sports talk threads.
People are arguing about whether the next coach should be an "offensive guru" or another defensive mastermind. It's the most important offseason in Pittsburgh in nearly two decades.
If you're looking for something productive, keep an eye on the coaching interview tracker. The Steelers have already reached out to several candidates, and the news usually breaks in the afternoon.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Follow the Coaching Search: Bookmark the official Steelers news page or follow reliable insiders like Ian Rapoport on social media. The interview process is happening now.
- Check the Draft Order: Since the Steelers lost in the Wild Card, their first-round pick is locked in at #24. Start looking at mock drafts for offensive line depth or a potential young QB.
- Monitor Aaron Rodgers: Listen for any quotes from Rodgers regarding his future. If he retires or asks for a release, the Steelers' 2026 strategy changes instantly.
The season might be over, but the drama is just getting started. It’s going to be a long winter in Pittsburgh, but at least we won't have to worry about any more double-digit playoff losses for a few months.