The Pittsburgh Steelers went out and got quarterback Aaron Rodgers for the 2025 campaign this past offseason. There were lots of questions surrounding the move, and many of those questions were somewhat answered on Sunday night as the Steelers took down the Baltimore Ravens, winning 26-24 in dramatic fashion. The noise from Steeler Nation is quiet for now, but anyone who has followed the Steelers for the last decade knows how fast that can change. With Rodgers under center, the offense showed flashes of efficiency and clutch performance, giving fans a glimpse of what could be a new playoff era in Pittsburgh.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin smiles while walking off the field with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Mike Tomlin hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, but he has also never had a losing season in his 19-year tenure. That consistency has earned him respect across the league, yet there have been rumblings about a possible mutual parting of ways between Tomlin and the Steelers. Sunday night’s AFC North victory may have quieted some critics, but the questions about the future of the franchise’s leadership remain. Steeler Nation knows that success in the regular season does not always translate to playoff glory, and the pressure on Tomlin to deliver a postseason breakthrough is more intense than ever.
Adding fuel to the speculation, NFL insider Josina Anderson revealed something intriguing on Monday morning regarding the Steelers and Tomlin on her social media. While the details were scarce, her report immediately sparked discussion about what the next chapter could look like for Pittsburgh. With Rodgers leading the offense and Tomlin’s legacy hanging in the balance, the 2025 season could become one of the most defining in recent Steelers history. Fans will be watching closely, knowing that in Pittsburgh, fortunes and noise levels can shift in an instant.
"Mike Tomlin will have a lot to consider after this season regarding his future desires, as said considerations were known entering this season, per league sources," Anderson said on Monday about Tomlin's future. "First up though, that [Houston] Texans defense and pass rush with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter and company."
The playoffs take place before Tomlin’s future is likely to be seriously discussed, but the fact that several insiders have now come forward talking about the seriousness of these discussions is particularly interesting. Tomlin is 53 years old, and many believe he would excel on television or in a coaching role with another organization.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin looks on during a game against the Ravens.
It sounds like real momentum is being gained in these talks, and according to Anderson, these considerations were well known even before the 2025 season started. How these discussions play out could have major implications for the Steelers’ future, and every playoff outcome this season could shape the narrative around Tomlin’s next steps.
Steelers Get To Host A Home Playoff Game Against The Texans
Now Tomlin and Rodgers get to face the Houston Texans. The Steelers won the AFC North, earning the right to host the Wild Card playoff game, but it will not be an easy challenge. The Texans boast an elite defense and a fearsome pass rush led by Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. They are also guided by a rising star head coach in DeMeco Ryans, making them a dangerous and disciplined opponent.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin roams the practice field as his team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
If the Steelers can secure a win over the Texans, fans will quiet down even more and the focus will shift to Rodgers and the team’s potential deep playoff run. A home loss, however, would amplify the pressure, and Tomlin will hear it louder than ever.
The stakes could not be higher, with a mix of legacy, future planning, and postseason success hanging in the balance. Every play, decision, and outcome on Wild Card Weekend could define not just the season, but the trajectory of the Steelers' organization for years to come.
With Rodgers leading the offense and Tomlin’s future still up in the air, how far do you think the Steelers can go in the playoffs this year? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!
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