So, let’s be real for a second. Watching the Steelers in the postseason lately feels a bit like Groundhog Day, doesn’t it? Only instead of a cute rodent, we get a fourth-quarter collapse and a long, quiet flight back to Pittsburgh. If you were looking for the highlights of pittsburgh steelers game today, you probably already know the sting. They didn't play a game this afternoon, Sunday, January 18, 2026. Why? Because their season ended less than a week ago in a brutal 30-6 Wild Card thumping by the Houston Texans.
The "today" part of the story isn't about a kickoff. It's about the debris. The locker rooms are empty, but the news cycle is on fire. One day after that Houston loss, Mike Tomlin—the man who has been the face of the franchise for 19 seasons—reportedly told the team he’s stepping down. It's the end of an era that honestly feels like a fever dream.
The Brutal Reality of the Texans Wild Card Game
Let’s look back at what happened on that Monday night at Acrisure Stadium, because it explains why there’s no game today. For three quarters, it was a classic Pittsburgh slog. The score was 7-6 entering the fourth. Defensive grit. Teeth-gritting hits. T.J. Watt was doing T.J. Watt things, and for a minute, you’d think they might actually pull off the upset.
Then the wheels didn't just come off; they exploded.
Houston’s defense, led by Will Anderson Jr., basically lived in the backfield. They sacked Aaron Rodgers four times. The most painful highlight? Sheldon Rankins scooping up a Rodgers fumble and rumbling 33 yards for a touchdown. That made it 17-6. Then came the dagger: Calen Bullock jumping a Rodgers pass for a 51-yard pick-six. Just like that, 30-6.
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- Final Score: Texans 30, Steelers 6
- Rodgers Stats: 17/33, 146 yards, 1 INT, 4 sacks
- The Turnovers: Three lost fumbles and a pick-six that basically ended the season.
It’s kinda wild to think that Rodgers, a four-time MVP, ended what might be his final game in a Steelers uniform with a passer rating that makes you want to cover your eyes.
Why the Steelers Aren't Playing Today
While the Texans are preparing to face the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round, Pittsburgh is dealing with an existential crisis. The biggest news today, January 18, is the "Rodgers Watch." According to reports from ESPN, the Steelers are "more than open" to having the 42-year-old quarterback return for the 2026 season.
But does he even want to?
He signed here to play for Tomlin. With Tomlin out, the rumors are swirling like a Western PA snowstorm. There's talk of Mike McCarthy—Rodgers' old boss from the Green Bay days—being a candidate. Imagine that reunion. It’s the kind of drama that keeps NFL Twitter alive during the off-season.
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The Coaching Search: Who’s Next?
Since there are no live highlights of pittsburgh steelers game today, the real "game" is happening in the front office. The betting odds for the next head coach are already out. Here’s who the experts are looking at:
- Chris Shula: The Rams' defensive coordinator is currently the favorite.
- Brian Flores: A familiar face for Steelers fans, currently leading the Vikings' defense.
- Robert Saleh: The former Jets coach and current 44ers DC has the "toughness" the city loves.
- Curt Cignetti: A wild card from the college ranks (Indiana) who has been a winner everywhere he goes.
The Fallout and the "Almost" Moments
We shouldn't forget how they got here. The Week 18 win over the Baltimore Ravens was actually a high point—a 26-24 nail-biter that clinched the AFC North. Aaron Rodgers hit Calvin Austin III for a 26-yard score with 55 seconds left. It was vintage. It gave fans hope.
But hope is a dangerous thing in January.
The league also handed down some final discipline yesterday. Ben Skowronek got slapped with a $9,500 fine for an unsportsmanlike conduct incident during a kickoff in the Texans game. A small footnote in a season that ended with a whimper, but it adds to the "nothing went right" vibe of the playoffs.
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What Fans Should Do Now
If you’re a die-hard member of the Terrible Towel brigade, the next few weeks are going to be a rollercoaster. You aren't watching highlights; you're watching the "Breaking News" ticker.
Keep an eye on the official coaching interviews. The team is expected to move fast because they want to know if Rodgers is staying or retiring before the draft process hits high gear. If McCarthy gets an interview, expect the Rodgers-return rumors to hit 11 on the volume knob.
The Steelers have now lost seven straight playoff games. That’s a decade of January heartbreak. Whether the next chapter involves a 42-year-old legend or a total rebuild, the era of "Life After Tomlin" officially begins this afternoon.
Check the team's official Gameday Accountability Reports for any further roster moves or coaching staff departures. Stay tuned to local Pittsburgh sports radio for the "exit interview" quotes that usually leak out around this time of year.