If you're waking up today, January 17, 2026, and scouring the web to find out who do the Pittsburgh Steelers play next sunday, I have some tough news that might feel like a punch to the gut.
There is no game.
The Steelers aren't playing next Sunday, January 25, nor are they playing tomorrow. For the first time in what felt like a magical, defensive-heavy run, the lights at Acrisure Stadium have gone dim for the winter. It’s a weird feeling, especially after they clawed their way to an AFC North title. But the reality is the road ended on a cold Monday night just a few days ago.
The Short Answer: Who Do The Pittsburgh Steelers Play Next Sunday?
Basically, nobody. The Pittsburgh Steelers were officially eliminated from the NFL playoffs on Monday, January 12, 2026. They lost their Wild Card matchup against the Houston Texans with a final score of 30-6.
Because of that loss, the Steelers’ season is over. While other teams like the Texans, Bills, and Patriots are moving into the Divisional Round this weekend and the Conference Championships next Sunday, the Black and Gold are heading into an offseason that looks more like a total reconstruction than a simple tune-up.
What Actually Happened Against Houston?
Honestly, it was ugly. You’ve probably seen the highlights, or maybe you turned the TV off by the third quarter to save your blood pressure.
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The Steelers entered the playoffs with a 10-7 record, having just secured the AFC North crown by beating Baltimore in Week 18. There was so much momentum. People were talking about the "Tomlin Magic" and how this veteran-heavy defense—led by T.J. Watt and the newly acquired Jalen Ramsey—could suffocate anyone.
But the Texans didn't care about the script. They came into Pittsburgh and absolutely dismantled the Steelers. The 30-6 scoreline tells most of the story, but it was the lack of offensive rhythm that really stung. Despite having Aaron Rodgers under center this season—a move that sent shockwaves through the league—the offense just couldn't find the end zone when it mattered.
The End of the Tomlin Era
This is the part that most people are still trying to process. It isn't just about the game next Sunday; it's about every Sunday for the next decade.
On January 13, 2026, the day after the blowout loss to Houston, Mike Tomlin officially stepped down as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. 19 seasons. That’s a lifetime in NFL years.
He finished with 193 wins, tying the legendary Chuck Noll for the most in franchise history. He never had a losing season. Think about that. For nearly two decades, Steelers fans never had to endure a "basement" year. But after seven straight playoff losses dating back to 2016, it felt like the ceiling had been reached.
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"It's just time," was the vibe coming out of the facility.
When you ask who do the Pittsburgh Steelers play next sunday, the answer is actually "the coaching search." Omar Khan and the Rooney family are now looking for the first new head coach in Pittsburgh since 2007. That is a massive, era-defining shift.
Looking at the 2026 Schedule (The Long Wait)
Since there’s no game next week, fans are already looking at the 2026 opponents list. While we don't have the exact dates yet—the NFL usually drops the full calendar in May—we do know who is coming to town next season.
Home Games at Acrisure Stadium:
- Baltimore Ravens (The usual bloodbath)
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Cleveland Browns
- Houston Texans (A chance for revenge after the playoff disaster)
- Indianapolis Colts
- Atlanta Falcons
- Carolina Panthers
Away Games:
- Baltimore/Cincinnati/Cleveland
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- New Orleans Saints
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Tennessee Titans
- New England Patriots
It’s a heavy schedule. Playing the AFC South and the NFC South means a lot of travel to the humidity, though seeing Rodgers (if he returns for the final year of his deal) go into New Orleans or Foxborough will be high-level drama.
Why the Steelers Struggle to Advance
It’s a fair question. Why do they keep making the playoffs only to get bounced immediately?
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Nuance matters here. This year, the defense was elite on paper. You have Cameron Heyward still defying Father Time, Patrick Queen patrolling the middle, and Alex Highsmith opposite Watt. They were 1st in the AFC North for a reason.
But the offensive line, despite investments in guys like Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier, struggled with the Texans' speed. Rodgers, at 42, needed more protection than he got. When you can't run the ball effectively with Jaylen Warren or Kaleb Johnson, you become one-dimensional. In the playoffs, one-dimensional teams get eaten alive.
What Should Fans Do Next?
Since you aren't tailgating next Sunday, here is how you should actually be spending your time if you want to stay ahead of the curve on Steelers news:
- Monitor the Coaching Search: This is the most important hire in 20 years. Names like Ben Johnson or even a return of someone from the defensive side of the ball are being floated.
- The Quarterback Question: Aaron Rodgers is under contract, but with Tomlin gone, does he want to stay for a rebuild? Or does the team pivot back to a younger option?
- Draft Prep: The Steelers will likely pick in the bottom half of the first round again. They need to get younger at receiver, even with DK Metcalf and George Pickens providing the big plays this year.
The "Next Sunday" you're looking for won't happen until September 2026. It’s a long wait, but for a franchise undergoing its biggest change in a generation, the "offseason" is going to be just as intense as the regular season.
Keep an eye on the official team transactions. The next few weeks will determine if this was just a bad playoff game or the start of a very long transition period.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check the official NFL coaching tracker daily. With Mike Tomlin out, the Steelers are the "belle of the ball" for coaching candidates, and a hire could happen faster than you think. Also, watch the Divisional Round games this weekend—specifically Texans at Patriots—to see if the team that beat Pittsburgh actually has the legs to go all the way to Super Bowl LX.