The short answer is no. If you’re asking do the Steelers play this Sunday, the reality is a tough pill to swallow for the Black and Gold faithful. Following a demoralizing 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans this past Monday night at Acrisure Stadium, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been officially eliminated from the NFL playoffs.
While the Divisional Round of the playoffs kicks off this weekend, January 17 and 18, 2026, the Steelers will be watching from home. For a franchise that prides itself on "The Standard," the current state of affairs feels anything but standard.
Why don't the Steelers play this Sunday?
Basically, they ran into a buzzsaw named C.J. Stroud and a Houston defense that looked like it was playing a different sport. The Wild Card game was supposed to be the moment Aaron Rodgers—who, yes, spent the 2025 season in Pittsburgh—finally ended the team's postseason drought. Instead, the offense sputtered, managed only two field goals, and gave up a crushing 50-yard pick-six to Caden Bullock that iced the game.
Monday's loss wasn't just another exit. It was historic for all the wrong reasons. It was the worst postseason home loss in the history of the franchise. It also extended a winless playoff streak that stretches back nine years. For a generation of younger fans, a Steelers playoff win is starting to feel like a myth.
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So, while the Texans move on to face the New England Patriots this Sunday at 3:00 PM ET, the Steelers are entering the most chaotic offseason in decades.
The Mike Tomlin era has officially ended
The reason this Sunday feels different isn't just because the season is over. It’s because the identity of the team just vanished. On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, just 24 hours after the loss, Mike Tomlin announced he was stepping down as head coach.
Nineteen years. That’s how long he was at the helm. He never had a losing season, a stat that people love to debate, but he also hasn't won a playoff game since the 2016-17 season. Honestly, the "Dry January" jokes in Pittsburgh have become too loud to ignore.
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Tomlin’s departure creates a vacuum. Art Rooney II now has to find a successor for a man who was essentially the face of the city's sports culture. It's not just about finding a guy who can call plays; it's about finding someone who can handle the immense weight of the Rooney family legacy.
What's actually happening in the NFL this weekend?
Since the Steelers aren't on the schedule, you might be wondering who actually is playing. The NFL Divisional Round is set, and even without Pittsburgh, the matchups are kind of incredible.
- Saturday, Jan 17: The Buffalo Bills travel to Denver to take on the top-seeded Broncos at 4:30 PM ET. Later that night, the 49ers and Seahawks renew their rivalry in Seattle at 8:00 PM ET.
- Sunday, Jan 18: The team that beat the Steelers, the Houston Texans, will be in Foxborough to play the New England Patriots at 3:00 PM ET. The weekend wraps up with the Rams at the Chicago Bears at 6:30 PM ET.
It’s a weird feeling seeing the AFC North represented by... nobody. The Steelers were the only team from the division to make the dance this year, but their exit was so swift it barely felt like they were there.
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The Aaron Rodgers experiment and what comes next
Let’s talk about the quarterback. Aaron Rodgers coming to Pittsburgh was supposed to be the "all-in" move. It felt like the Matthew Stafford to the Rams or Tom Brady to the Bucs type of play. But at 42 years old, Rodgers looked every bit his age on Monday night.
With Tomlin gone, most insiders expect Rodgers to follow him into retirement. If that happens, the Steelers are looking at a total rebuild. We’re talking about a roster that needs help on the offensive line, a secondary that got torched by Houston's receivers, and a desperate need for a long-term answer at QB.
The 2026 opponents are already set—we know they'll face the AFC South and NFC South—but who will be under center? Will it be a rookie? A bridge veteran? These are the questions that will dominate the local sports talk radio for the next six months.
Actionable steps for Steelers fans this weekend
Since there is no game to prepare for, your Sunday looks a lot different. Here is how to navigate the start of the "New Era" in Pittsburgh:
- Watch the Texans vs. Patriots: If you want to see exactly how far the Steelers are from being true contenders, watch how Houston performs against the No. 2 seed Patriots. It’ll give you perspective on the gap Pittsburgh needs to close.
- Monitor the Coaching Search: Names like Kellen Moore, Ben Johnson, or even a return of a former staffer will start floating around. Follow local beat writers like Ray Fittipaldo or Gerry Dulac for real-time updates on who is interviewing at the Rooney Sports Complex.
- Check the Draft Order: The Steelers will likely be picking in the late teens or early 20s. Start looking at quarterback prospects like Nico Iamaleava or whatever Tier 1 talent is declaring. The "Best Player Available" strategy might have to take a backseat to "Best Quarterback Available."
- Process the Tomlin Legacy: Take a second to appreciate what 19 years of stability looked like. Regardless of how the last few seasons went, the transition to a new coach is rarely as smooth as fans hope it will be.
The Steelers don't play this Sunday, and honestly, the franchise might not "look" like the Steelers for a long time. It’s a period of mourning for some and excitement for others who have been calling for change. Either way, the road to the 2026 season starts now.