January 13 (UPI) — Aaron Rodgers is unsure about his NFL future but expressed support for Mike Tomlin after the Pittsburgh Steelers’ playoff loss to the Houston Texans.
After Monday’s 30-6 wild-card loss in Pittsburgh, the Steelers quarterback talked about the veteran coach during his postgame press conference. Tomlin’s Steelers have now lost seven straight playoff games, raising questions about whether the veteran coach is in trouble.
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“When I first got into the league, no one was talking about whether these guys were in trouble or not,” Rodgers said when asked about Tomlin’s future as Steelers coach. “But the way the league is covered now and the rush to decisions and effectiveness of Twitter pundits and all the pundits on TV, who look like they know what they’re talking about, it’s an absolute joke to me.
“For these two guys to be in a difficult situation is really consistent with where we are as a society and as a league because obviously [Green Bay Packers coach] Matt [LaFleur’s] A lot of great things were done in Green Bay, we had a lot of success. “
In Monday’s loss, the Steelers (10-8) had a total yardage loss of 408-175. They rushed for just 63 yards, well below their underwhelming season average of 103 yards. The Texans’ top defense finished with four sacks, forced two fumbles and scored two defensive touchdowns.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during the fourth quarter of the NFL wild card playoff game against the Houston Texans on Monday at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. Photography: Archie Carpenter/UPI
Texans quarterback CJ Stroud completed 21 of 32 passes for 250 yards, one score and one interception. Running back Woody Marks rushed for 112 yards and a score on 19 carries. Wide receiver Christian Kirk caught eight passes for 144 yards and a score.
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Rodgers completed 17 of 33 passes for 146 yards. He also threw an interception and lost a fumble. Texans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins fumbled the ball for a 33-yard touchdown. Safety Calen Bullock returned the interception for a 50-yard score.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws a backward pass against the Houston Texans during the first quarter of an NFL wild-card playoff game on Monday at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. Photography: Archie Carpenter/UPI
The Steelers won the AFC North and made the playoffs despite allowing the eighth-fewest total yards and seventh-fewest points in the NFL. They completed their 19th consecutive undefeated season under Tomlin. But like their previous playoff runs, they bowed out early.
Frustrated Pittsburgh Steelers fans sit in an empty section after the Steelers lost to the Houston Texans on Monday at Akrisul Stadium in Pittsburgh. Photography: Archie Carpenter/UPI
Tomlin, who won a Super Bowl in his second season with the Steelers, went 8-5 in the Steelers’ first 13 postseason games. Former coach Bill Cowher, who won a Super Bowl in 2005-06, compiled a 12-9 record in the playoffs during his 15 years at the helm of the AFC North.
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“Mike T has had more success than anybody in the league over the last 19, 20 years,” Rodgers said. “More importantly, when you have the right people and the culture is right, you don’t think about making changes, but there’s a lot of pressure from the outside and obviously that affects your decisions from time to time.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin watches his team play before the start of their NFL wild-card playoff game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Monday. Photography: Archie Carpenter/UPI
“But that’s not the way I do things, and that’s not what the league has been in the past.”
When asked about the Steelers’ prospects for the 2026-27 season, Tomlin said he felt “optimistic.” The veteran coach’s contract expires in 2026 and has a team option in 2027. He acknowledged frustrated fans on Monday but said he was “not in the mood” to talk about his future.
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“As I sit here, I don’t even have that mindset,” Tomlin said. “I look more at what’s going on in this stadium and certainly what we did and didn’t do. When I sit here, I don’t have a big-picture mentality.”
Rodgers is set to become a free agent this offseason but has remained mum on the prospect of returning in 2026. He has previously stated that the 2025 season may be his last NFL season. When asked if he would play for the Steelers if he decided to extend his career, he told reporters he “won’t talk about it.”
“I’m not going to make any emotional decisions,” Rogers said. “Obviously it’s been a really fun year at this point. There’s been a lot of adversity, but there’s been a lot of fun too. Last year was a great year of my life, and coming here and being a part of this team is a really good part of it.”
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“So it’s disappointing to sit here at the end of the season.”
The Texans (13-5) will face the top-seeded New England Patriots (15-3) in the divisional round in Foxborough, Mass., on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.
