If you're frantically scrolling through your TV guide or refreshing your streaming apps to find out what channel is pittsburgh steelers playing on tonight, I have some tough news for you.
The Steelers aren't playing tonight.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a gut punch for the City of Bridges. After a rollercoaster of a year that saw the team claw its way into the postseason, the ride came to a screeching halt this past Monday. On January 12, 2026, the Pittsburgh Steelers were eliminated from the NFL playoffs after a brutal 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium.
So, if you see the lights off at the stadium tonight, Friday, January 16, that's why. The locker rooms are being packed up, and the focus in Pittsburgh has shifted from "Who do we play next?" to "What on earth happens now?"
Why the Steelers Aren't on the Schedule
It feels weird to have a January weekend without the Black and Gold if you’re used to those deep playoff runs of the past. But the reality is that the AFC Divisional Round is moving on without them.
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While you might have been hoping for a Friday night matchup, the NFL generally saves its playoff windows for the big weekend slots. The teams that did move on—like the Texans, who handled Pittsburgh with ease—are preparing for games on Saturday and Sunday.
The loss on Monday night wasn't just a scoreboard defeat; it felt like the end of an era. The Steelers finished their 2025-2026 campaign with a 10-7 record, which, in most cities, is a success. In Pittsburgh? It’s just the first step toward a very long offseason of questions.
The End of the Mike Tomlin Era
The biggest reason you won't find the Steelers on any channel tonight is that the team is currently without a head coach. In a move that sent shockwaves through the league, Mike Tomlin officially stepped down on January 12, immediately following the loss to Houston.
Nineteen seasons. That’s how long Tomlin stood on that sideline. He never had a losing season, which is a stat so absurd it sounds made up, but it’s true. Yet, the lack of recent playoff success finally reached a breaking point. Watching C.J. Stroud and the Texans carve up the defense for 30 points was the final straw.
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When reporters asked him about his message to the fans after the game, he was classic Tomlin: terse and direct. He basically said that words are cheap and it's about what you do or don't do. Apparently, what he decided to "do" was walk away.
What Channels Are Showing Football This Weekend?
Just because the Steelers are out doesn't mean the playoffs stop. If you're looking for your football fix, the Divisional Round kicks off tomorrow. Since you were looking for what channel is pittsburgh steelers playing on tonight, here is where the actual action is happening over the next 48 hours:
- 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 ESPN/ABC)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 p.m. ET on FOX)
The Texans, the team that ended Pittsburgh's season, are headed to Foxborough to take on the top-seeded Patriots. It’s a game many Steelers fans will probably watch with a bit of a "what if" mindset, especially seeing how dominant Houston's defense looked against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh offense.
The Quarterback Question
Speaking of Aaron Rodgers, his future is just as murky as the coaching search. He's 42. He threw for 112 yards in the playoff loss. That’s... not great.
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The Steelers' 2025 season was built on the idea that a veteran presence could bridge the gap and win now. Instead, the offense looked stagnant when it mattered most. Whether the next coach wants to stick with a legend in the twilight of his career or blow the whole thing up and draft a kid remains the $100 million question.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
Even though there's no game tonight, the 2026 opponents have already been determined. We don't have the exact dates or times yet—those usually drop in May—but we know who is coming to town.
The Steelers will host their usual AFC North rivals (Ravens, Bengals, Browns), plus some interesting matchups against the Falcons, Panthers, Broncos, and a rematch with the Texans. On the road, they’ll have to travel to places like Philadelphia and Tampa Bay.
It’s going to be a completely different vibe at Acrisure Stadium next year. New coach, potentially a new quarterback, and definitely a new identity.
Actionable Next Steps for Steelers Fans
Since you can't watch the game tonight, here is how you can stay plugged into the team's massive transition period:
- Monitor the Coaching Search: Follow local insiders like Gerry Dulac or Aditi Kinkhabwala on social media. The search for Tomlin’s successor is already underway and will likely move fast.
- Check the Salary Cap: The Steelers have some aging contracts. Keep an eye on "Over The Cap" to see how much room the new regime will have to work with in free agency this March.
- Watch the Divisional Round: If you want to see the level of play the Steelers need to reach, watch the Texans vs. Patriots game on Sunday. It’ll give you a good look at the team that just set Pittsburgh's offseason in motion.
The quest for the seventh trophy is on ice for now. It sucks, I know. But the "Stairway to Seven" is currently undergoing some much-needed construction.