You wake up, maybe grab that favorite Terry Bradshaw or T.J. Watt jersey, and check the guide. You're looking for the Steelers game today on tv. But there’s a problem. The screen is blank, or rather, it’s filled with talk shows and sitcoms instead of the grit of AFC North football.
It hits hard. Honestly, it’s a weird feeling for a city that lives and breathes Sundays (and the occasional Monday) at Acrisure Stadium. If you’re searching for the channel number or kickoff time right now, I have to be the one to break the news: the Pittsburgh Steelers season is officially over.
There is no game today.
The Wild Card Heartbreak That Ended the Season
We really thought this was the year the streak would end. After winning the AFC North with a 10-7 record and clinching that home-field advantage for the opening round, the atmosphere in Pittsburgh was electric. Then Monday night happened.
On January 12, 2026, the Houston Texans came into our house and didn't just win—they dominated. The final score was a brutal 30-6. Watching C.J. Stroud carve up the secondary while our offense struggled to find any rhythm was, frankly, exhausting. Aaron Rodgers, who many hoped would be the missing piece to a Super Bowl run, looked every bit his age under the lights.
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It was the most lopsided home playoff loss in the history of the franchise. That hurts. It extends a postseason losing streak that now dates back to the 2016 season.
The End of the Mike Tomlin Era
If you're looking for the Steelers game today on tv, you might instead find news segments discussing the biggest bombshell in Pittsburgh sports history. On Tuesday, January 13, just one day after the loss, Mike Tomlin did the unthinkable.
He stepped down.
After 19 seasons, 193 wins, and never having a losing record, the longest-tenured coach in the NFL decided it was time. "I'm appreciative of the opportunity," he essentially told the room, but you could see the toll the last few years had taken. He tied Chuck Noll for the most wins in team history, but the lack of playoff success recently clearly weighed on him.
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The search for a replacement is already moving at lightning speed. You won't see a game today, but you'll see plenty of tickers at the bottom of the screen mentioning names like Nate Scheelhaase and Chris Shula. The Steelers are even looking at virtual interviews with Green Bay's Jeff Hafley this Friday.
What’s on TV Instead of the Steelers?
Since there’s no Steelers game today, January 15, you might be wondering what the rest of the NFL is doing. Today is Thursday. Usually, that means Thursday Night Football, right?
Not in the playoffs.
The NFL doesn't schedule playoff games on Thursdays to give teams adequate rest after the Wild Card round. The "Steelers game today on tv" slot is effectively empty for everyone. The action doesn't pick back up until the Divisional Round this weekend. If you still need your football fix, here is what the schedule looks like for the teams that actually moved on:
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- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 p.m. ET on CBS)
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 p.m. ET on FOX)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 p.m. ET on NBC)
It’s a bit of a gut punch to see the Texans—the team that knocked us out—playing in that Sunday slot while we’re stuck wondering "what if."
The Roster Shuffles Nobody Is Talking About
While you won't find a game on, the front office is still grinding. Just today, January 15, the Steelers signed two more players to Reserve/Future contracts: receiver Brandon Smith and long snapper Cal Adomitis.
Adomitis is a local kid—Central Catholic and Pitt. Bringing him back is a nice "hometown hero" story, but it’s small potatoes compared to the quarterback question. Is Rodgers coming back for the final year of his deal? Will the new coach want a total reset?
We’re entering a period of uncertainty we haven't seen since the 60s. For decades, "Steelers football" meant stability. Now, it means a wide-open coaching search and a roster that needs a serious facelift if they want to compete with the high-flying offenses of the AFC.
Actionable Steps for Disappointed Fans
The lack of a Steelers game today on tv doesn't mean you have to check out of football entirely. Here is how to handle the sudden "offseason" mode:
- Watch the Divisional Round: Even though it’s tough, watching the Texans vs. Patriots on Sunday will give you a good look at the level of play the Steelers need to reach.
- Follow the Coaching Search: Keep an eye on the interviews scheduled for Friday. The move toward "Sean McVay type" coaches like Scheelhaase suggests a massive shift in philosophy.
- Audit the Salary Cap: Check out sites like OverTheCap. The Steelers have some aging veterans with high price tags. Decisions on guys like Cam Heyward will happen sooner than you think.
- Revisit the Draft Board: With the season over, the Steelers' draft position is locked in. It’s time to start looking at interior defensive linemen and secondary help.
The Terrible Towels are staying in the drawer for now. It’s a quiet Thursday in Pittsburgh, and while the TV might be showing something else, the conversations at the local diner are only just beginning. The Tomlin era is over, and the road back to a game worth watching on TV starts today.