If you're frantically scrolling through your guide trying to figure out what channel is the steeler game on tonight, I’ve got some tough news. There actually isn't a game tonight.
Pittsburgh’s season came to a screeching, painful halt last night at Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers hosted the Houston Texans in a Monday Night Wild Card clash that... well, it didn’t go great for the Black and Gold. If you missed the broadcast on ABC/ESPN or the simulcast on ESPN+, you might be seeing highlights popping up and thinking there's more football on the way this Tuesday.
Honestly, the "tonight" part of the search is just the hangover from a playoff exit that has the entire city of Pittsburgh in a bit of a tailspin.
The Aftermath: Why There’s No Game Tonight
The Steelers were eliminated on January 12, 2026, losing 30-6 to a Houston Texans team that looked every bit like a Super Bowl contender.
It was a cold, disappointing night. Mike Tomlin's squad entered the postseason as the AFC's No. 4 seed with a 10-7 record, but they couldn't find an answer for C.J. Stroud or a Texans defense that completely neutralized Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh offense.
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Since the game happened last night (Monday), there is no live broadcast scheduled for this Tuesday evening. The NFL playoff machine has already moved on to the Divisional Round, which doesn't kick off until Saturday. If you see the "Steelers" listed on any TV schedule today, it's almost certainly a replay on NFL Network or a local sports talk breakdown on KDKA or AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh.
Where to Watch the Replay
If you’re a glutton for punishment and want to see exactly how the season ended, you can still find the game.
- NFL+: This is usually the quickest way. They host the full game replays and the "all-22" coaches' film if you want to analyze exactly why the secondary struggled so much in the third quarter.
- NFL Network: They often run "NFL Replay" versions of playoff games the day after. Check your local listings for a 2-hour condensed version.
- Hulu + Live TV / YouTube TV: If you recorded it last night, it’ll be in your library. If not, these services sometimes offer VOD (Video on Demand) for major playoff games.
The Biggest Shock: Mike Tomlin Steps Down
The reason everyone is talking about the Steelers "tonight" isn't because of a game—it's because of the bombshell news that dropped just hours ago.
After 19 seasons, Mike Tomlin is stepping down as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. This isn't just a rumor anymore; it’s the defining story of the 2026 NFL offseason. The 30-6 loss to Houston apparently was the final straw, or perhaps just the natural end of an era.
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Think about that for a second. The Steelers have had three coaches since the 1960s. Three. Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin. Tonight, for the first time in nearly two decades, the Steelers are officially looking for a new leader.
What Really Happened with the Offense?
Fans were hyped for this playoff run, especially with DK Metcalf back in the lineup after his suspension. But the game was a mess.
Metcalf caught two early passes and then basically vanished. The Texans' secondary played a physical, press-man style that the Steelers just couldn't crack. It’s kinda wild to think that a team with Aaron Rodgers at the helm—even an older version of Rodgers—could only muster 6 points in a home playoff game.
There’s a lot of finger-pointing going on in the local media tonight. Was it the play-calling? Was the offensive line just overmatched? Most experts agree it was a combination of both, plus a very hungry Texans defense that is currently ranked best in the league for yards allowed.
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Looking Ahead: The 2026 Schedule
Even though the quest for a seventh Lombardi trophy is over for this year, we already know who the Steelers will be facing when they return in the fall of 2026.
The NFL’s scheduling formula is predictable that way. Because the AFC North faces the AFC South and NFC South next year, the "home" slate at Acrisure Stadium is already looking pretty spicy.
2026 Home Opponents
- Baltimore Ravens (The usual bloodbath)
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Cleveland Browns
- Atlanta Falcons
- Carolina Panthers
- Denver Broncos
- Houston Texans (Yes, a chance for revenge)
- Indianapolis Colts
2026 Road Trips
The road schedule is arguably tougher. The Steelers will have to travel to face the Philadelphia Eagles for the "Battle of Pennsylvania," plus trips to New England, New Orleans, and Tennessee.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since you won't be watching a live game tonight, here is how you can stay plugged in during this chaotic start to the offseason:
- Check the Coaching Search: Follow local insiders like Gerry Dulac or Aditi Kinkhabwala on X (formerly Twitter). The hunt for Tomlin’s successor is going to move fast, and names like Eric Bieniemy or even some high-profile college coaches are already being floated.
- Monitor the Draft Order: With their loss and 10-7 record, the Steelers are locked into the middle of the first round for the 2026 NFL Draft. Tonight is a good time to start looking at mock drafts, specifically focusing on offensive tackle and cornerback depth.
- Cancel/Pause Subscriptions: If you only bought Paramount+ or Peacock to watch the NFL playoffs and you aren't interested in the other matchups (like Bills-Broncos or Rams-Bears), now is the time to check those billing cycles.
- Watch the Divisional Round: The Texans—the team that beat us—will play the New England Patriots this Sunday, January 18, at 3:00 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN. It might be worth watching just to see if Houston is actually that good or if the Steelers just had a really bad night.
The era of Mike Tomlin is over, and while there's no game tonight, the real "season" for the front office is just beginning.