So, you're looking for the score. Honestly, it's a bit of a weird day for the Black and Gold. If you’re checking the TV schedule for a kickoff time this Sunday, January 18, 2026, I hate to be the one to break it to you: there isn't one.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are officially out.
It feels kinda surreal saying that, especially given how the regular season ended with that gritty 26-24 win over the Ravens to snag the AFC North. But the postseason is a different beast. Last Monday night, the wheels basically fell off at Acrisure Stadium. The Pittsburgh Steelers game today score isn't a "today" thing because the season ended on January 12th with a brutal 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round.
It was ugly.
What Happened in the Wild Card Round?
The Texans came into Pittsburgh and essentially bullied a veteran team. People were hyped for Aaron Rodgers to lead a deep playoff run—his first with the Steelers—but the Texans defense had other plans. CJ Stroud looked like the seasoned pro while Rodgers, at 42, struggled to get anything moving.
The game was actually tight for a while. Then, Woody Marks happened. The rookie running back for Houston punched in a 13-yard touchdown late in the fourth to make it 24-6, and that was pretty much the dagger. Before that, Rankins had a 33-yard fumble return for a TD off a Rodgers mistake that just sucked the air out of the stadium.
Final score: Houston 30, Pittsburgh 6.
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Steelers fans are used to competitive playoff games, but this was a blowout. It wasn't just a loss; it felt like the end of an era.
The Mike Tomlin Bombshell
The real news today—the reason everyone is talking about the Steelers on this Sunday in January—isn't about a game score. It’s about the vacancy on the sidelines.
After 19 years, Mike Tomlin is stepping down.
It’s the biggest story in the NFL right now. We’re talking about a guy who literally never had a losing season until... well, he never did. He finishes his Pittsburgh tenure with that record intact, but the 30-6 thumping by Houston was clearly the breaking point. Art Rooney II confirmed earlier this week that Tomlin is moving on.
It’s weird to imagine a Steelers sideline without him. Since 2007, he’s been the steady hand. Now? The search is on. Names like Kevin Stefanski (who just landed the Falcons job, by the way) and various high-profile coordinators are being tossed around, but the locker room is currently in a state of flux.
The Aaron Rodgers Dilemma
Then there’s the quarterback. Rodgers was playing on a one-year deal.
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Most people assumed that with Tomlin gone, Rodgers would just head into the sunset or find another contender. But a report from Adam Schefter just dropped this morning that changes the vibe. Apparently, during exit interviews last week, the players went to bat for Rodgers.
They want him back.
"Nearly the entire roster," according to sources, told the front office they want the four-time MVP to return for 2026. They love his leadership. They think he's still the best option in a weak draft year. Whether Art Rooney II agrees—or if the new coach will want a 43-year-old quarterback—is the million-dollar question.
Looking Back at the 2025-26 Season
It’s easy to let the Houston loss sour the whole year, but the Steelers actually defied a lot of odds this season. They finished 10-7 and won the AFC North. Remember that Week 18 game against Baltimore?
That was peak Steelers.
Lamar Jackson was carving them up, and Zay Flowers had two massive touchdowns. It looked like the Ravens were going to steal the division crown right out of Pittsburgh's hands. But Rodgers found Calvin Austin III for a 26-yard touchdown with a minute left to take a 26-24 lead. Then, the Ravens kicker, Tyler Loop, missed a 44-yarder as time expired.
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That win gave the city so much hope.
- Week 14: Beat Baltimore 27-22 on the road.
- Week 15: Handled the Dolphins 28-15.
- Week 16: A tight 29-24 win over the Lions.
- Week 18: Secured the North by beating the Ravens 26-24.
The defense was the backbone for most of the year. T.J. Watt remained a game-wrecker, and Cam Heyward somehow kept defying age in the middle. But the offense was always "just enough" rather than "explosive." Against a high-powered Texans team, "just enough" resulted in six measly points.
What Should Fans Do Now?
If you're a die-hard, the next few weeks are actually more important than a mid-January game would have been. The franchise is at its most significant crossroads since Bill Cowher retired.
Keep an eye on the coaching search. The Steelers don't move fast—they value "stability"—but this hire will define the next decade. If they go with a young, offensive-minded coach, it might mean the end for the Rodgers experiment. If they go with a defensive veteran, maybe they try to run it back one last time.
Also, watch the Divisional Round games today. The Houston Texans (the team that beat us) are taking on the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but seeing how Houston fares might give some perspective on just how good that team is—or how much work the Steelers have to do.
Actionable Next Steps for Steelers Fans:
- Monitor the Coaching Search: Follow local beats like DK Pittsburgh Sports or Steelers Depot for real-time updates on who Art Rooney II is interviewing.
- Check the Salary Cap: With Rodgers' future up in the air, the Steelers' cap situation for 2026 is going to be a jigsaw puzzle.
- Draft Watch: Start looking at the 2026 QB class. If Rodgers leaves and Mason Rudolph isn't the guy, Pittsburgh might be picking high enough to finally grab a franchise cornerstone.
- Watch the Texans vs. Patriots: See if the team that embarrassed Pittsburgh can actually go all the way. It happens at 3:00 PM ET today.
The season is over, but the drama is just getting started in the Steel City.