Bears’ historic comeback sinks Packers, 49ers upset Eagles
USA TODAY Sports’ Prince Grimes reacts to every game of the NFL’s chaotic but entertaining Wild Card weekend.
PITTSBURGH – With wired headphones in his ears and the hood of his gray sweatshirt rolled up – not long after he ended his press conference with a bombshell – one of the greatest men to ever step on a football field was headed for the exits of Acresure Stadium after the Pittsburgh Steelers lost 30-6 to the Houston Texans in the final game of the NFL Wild Card Round.
There was a question all offseason whether this was the last time Aaron Rodgers left a locker room as an NFL player. For the second year in a row, Rodgers will take time to ponder his next steps. He could retire after 21 NFL seasons, four MVP awards, one Super Bowl MVP, and more lines than necessary to match a Hall of Fame resume. He could potentially sign with another expected candidate. Going back for another round with the Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin is certainly on the table.
In Monday’s postgame press conference, Rodgers lamented how the defense gave the Steelers’ offense so many chances, forcing three turnovers, that it wasn’t very effective. He also cautioned against making emotional decisions.
“It’s disappointing. Of course, it’s been a really fun year. There’s been a lot of adversity, but it’s been a lot of fun.”
Rodgers said the 2025 season was a great year in his life “overall.” he got married They advanced to the postseason for the first time since the 2021 season.
“It’s a shame to be sitting here after the season is over because it’s part of what’s really good about coming here and being a part of this team.”
When asked directly if he wanted to continue playing in Pittsburgh if he decided he wanted to play another season in the NFL, Rodgers said, “I’m not going to talk about that.”
Mr. Rogers said he would “run away,” or come to a nearby dark hideout, and have a “proper conversation” before making any grand plans.
“I’ve answered this before,” Rogers said. “Every game could be my last.”
Backup Mason Rudolph replaced Rodgers as the Steelers’ last offensive line, but the Texans defense scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter in a blowout loss. Mr. Rogers was fired four times. Perhaps Rodgers’ last pass in the NFL was a 50-yard return for a pick-six by Karen Brock. Rodgers completed 17 of 33 passes for 146 yards and a pick, but had one lost fumble, which Sheldon Rankins returned for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, breaking the dam on the Steelers’ season.
Does the loss to the Texans mean the end of Tomlin’s time in Pittsburgh?
Tomlin, the Steelers coach, appears to be at a crossroads in his career.
“As I sit here tonight, I’m not even thinking that way,” Tomlin said from the podium. “I’m thinking more about what happened in this stadium and certainly what we did and didn’t do. As I sit here tonight, I’m not thinking in the big picture.”
Tomlin, 53, won a Super Bowl in his second year with the Steelers and returned to the big game two years later. He has now lost seven straight in the playoffs and has a postseason record of 8-12. The last time they won was after the 2016 season.
“I don’t necessarily compare it to other moments,” Tomlin said. “It’s right now, and it’s certainly difficult. But that’s what we sign up for. That’s the life we live.”
Tomlin said he remains optimistic in terms of building a roster that can win in both the regular season and playoffs.
“Words are useless when you can’t get the job done. It’s a question of what you do or don’t do…In our business, people talk too much,” Tomlin said. “It’s either you do it or you don’t.”
Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward said the outside noise doesn’t affect him because no one outside the Steelers building can understand the effort Tomlin puts into the team and the entire operation.
“There are limits to what a coach can do,” he says. “The players have to play better. In the important moments, the players have to step up.”
Once again, the conference class existed at a level above what the Steelers could reach. Even with a future Hall of Famer at quarterback, John Harbaugh spent 18 years with the rival Baltimore Ravens before being fired, so the Steelers had until the final game of the regular season to wrap up the division with the opponent who fired their head coach. Harbaugh was the only coach to match Tomlin’s longevity of 19 seasons at the same location. He has never lost, including going 10-7 this year.
Will Year 20 bring even more of the same standards if Tomlin has a 20th year in Pittsburgh? Or can we move on to the next step? The fans at Acresure Stadium who didn’t wait for the final horn, at least half of the black-and-yellow-clad crowd, may not want to answer that question.
In fact, the conspicuous “Shoot Tomlin!” chant permeated the crisp air as the final minutes ticked away. The boos were louder.
The classic “Mike Tomlin/Steelers voodoo black magic” joke on Twitter just doesn’t hold up the same way anymore, especially when the result is a first-round loss at best.
C.J. Stroud and the Texans consistently fumbled the football and tried to hand the game over, but neither Steelers team was able to capitalize. Pittsburgh’s defense is the most expensive in football. The stats and tape mean nothing all season long.
Aaron Rodgers offseason speculation begins
Rodgers himself fell to 11-11 as a starter in the postseason. He has said throughout the year that he enjoyed his time with Tomlin and the Steelers. NFL media reported that the team is open to bringing him back next season. One season after tearing his ACL on the fourth play of the season in his “Gang Green” debut, he looks rejuvenated compared to the future Hall of Famer who played for the New York Jets last season.
I still have some strength in my arms. In the third quarter, he easily beat Calvin Austin III on a go route, and the ball easily traveled about 60 yards. Or they could thread Adam Thielen up the middle to start a drive later in the quarter.
But tailoring the offense to Rodgers’ wants and needs has reached a point of diminishing returns. Early in the game, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith worked Rodgers’ pocket, and Rodgers rolled to his left, flipped his hips, and found a wide-open DK Metcalf on an intermediate crossing route for a 25-yard gain. Rodgers went back to Rodgers on the next play and drew a defensive pass interference call.
The Steelers have done their best to introduce components that help them distribute the ball quickly. Kenneth Gainwell earned Rodgers’ trust with his ability to consistently make the first tackler miss. Metcalf is capable of YAC when available. Tomlin and the front office appeased Rodgers by signing veterans Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Tomlin’s patience last offseason led to him being acquired by Rodgers under speculation that the Steelers were simply keeping talented quarterback play away from a contender.
Rodgers said the Steelers have the pieces in place to remain in playoff contention. Metcalf is under contract for the next few seasons. Rodgers advised the team needs to keep Gainwell in the building.
He said coming together as a team during training camp in Latrobe, Pa., is one of the many enjoyable moments of the 2025 season that Rodgers will return to with memories.
“We faced a lot of adversity, but there are a lot of special moments to look back on,” Rodgers said. “I’m just disappointed right now. But I’m grateful to be able to wear the colors and come out of the tunnel and be a part of this organization.”
This is due to the frustration of having to answer the same questions all the time. did Will he find out about Tomlin this year? – Rodgers said the same thing, let out a curse word, and got up from his seat in front of the microphone to end the press conference.
Rodgers then put on his hood and put on his headphones as he walked toward the exit, stopping to talk with right guard Mason McCormick and several Texans players outside the visitors’ locker room, then departing.
Where can you find a question with an answer as complex as this one?
