ST.BREAKING: Pittsburgh Steelers Make Final Call on Mike Tomlin’s Future After Playoff Exit
The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing critical decisions after their shocking 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card round. The defeat marks a bitter end to what was once a promising season, and now, the future of head coach Mike Tomlin is under intense scrutiny.
The Aftermath of a Devastating Loss
The Steelers entered the playoffs with high expectations, having won the AFC North with a 10-7 record, but their postseason hopes were crushed in a lopsided game against the Texans. The team struggled to find rhythm on offense, failing to establish any momentum, while their defense, usually a strength, was overwhelmed by a relentless Texans attack.
Houston capitalized on Pittsburgh’s mistakes, including a fumble returned for a touchdown and a pick-six, sealing the Steelers’ fate early in the game. By the time the final whistle blew, Pittsburgh had been reduced to a mere shadow of their regular-season form, with just six points and 175 total yards on the board. The frustration was palpable in the Steelers’ locker room, as players and coaches alike grappled with the stark reality of another early playoff exit.
Tomlin’s Leadership Under the Microscope
Head coach Mike Tomlin has long been a fixture of the Pittsburgh Steelers, guiding the team through thick and thin for nearly two decades. Under his leadership, the Steelers have been consistently competitive, earning a reputation for stability and toughness. However, as the team faced another playoff disappointment, many began to question whether Tomlin’s leadership was enough to bring the franchise back to championship glory.
Tomlin’s inability to adjust during the game’s pivotal moments was a point of contention. Despite the mounting pressure, the Steelers stuck with the same ineffective strategies, failing to adapt to the Texans’ defensive schemes. This lack of in-game adjustments and poor decision-making in key moments left many to wonder if it was time for a fresh approach in Pittsburgh.
While Tomlin has earned respect for his accomplishments, including a Super Bowl victory and multiple playoff appearances, the ongoing postseason failures have begun to overshadow his successes. Some fans and analysts believe that, after 15 seasons, the Steelers may need a change in direction to achieve the level of success their fanbase expects.
Steelers’ Front Office Faces a Tough Choice
As the Steelers’ front office begins its evaluation process, Tomlin’s future is now in question. The franchise has long been a model of stability, but after multiple seasons of early playoff exits, there is growing pressure to make tough decisions. Sources close to the team indicate that ownership has already begun reviewing potential coaching candidates, considering a new direction for the team moving forward.
In addition to the coaching situation, the Steelers will need to address significant issues on both sides of the ball. The offensive line, which has been a weak link for several seasons, will be a major focus in the offseason. Meanwhile, the defense, which had been a top unit throughout the regular season, must find ways to bounce back after being exposed in the playoffs.
What’s Next for Mike Tomlin and the Steelers?
As Pittsburgh heads into an offseason of reflection and change, the question remains: Will Mike Tomlin remain the man to lead the Steelers into their next era, or will the franchise seek a new voice at the top? The front office’s decision could reshape the future of the team, as they look to retool and build a roster that can compete for a Super Bowl once again.
For Steelers fans, the loss to the Texans is more than just a playoff defeat; it’s a wake-up call that the team’s trajectory needs to be reassessed. The coming months will be crucial for Pittsburgh as they make key decisions on coaching, roster construction, and their identity moving forward.
Eagles Sign 1,500-Yard ‘Freak’ Former Chiefs RB
The Philadelphia Eagles are going to do what amounts to almost a complete revamp of their offense this offseason.
It’s what happens after you win a Super Bowl one season with what seems like an unstoppable offense one year and seem completely lost on that side of the ball in the next — and pulled off that backslide with 10 of 11 starters returning.
That revamp means bringing in players who might give the offense some new life — not in terms of starting roles but in terms of depth.
“Former Chiefs RB Carson Steele is signing a futures deal with the Eagles, per his agent Randy M. Fisher,” NFL reporter Tom Pelissero wrote on his official X account on Tuesday, January 13.
The Eagles are sure to have a busy offseason after losing at home to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Wild Card Round.
Steele Made Chiefs as Undrafted Free Agent
Steele has actually faced the Eagles before — he was on the roster for the Chiefs in their Super Bowl LIX loss to the Eagles on February 9, 2025
His path to get there was highly unusual. The 6-foot, 228-pound Greenwood, Indiana, native racked up 2,770 yards of total offense and 22 total touchdowns in 2 seasons at Ball State, including 1,556 rushing yards in 2022.
In one season with UCLA, Steele had 1,010 yards of total offense and 6 total touchdowns in 2023 while averaging 5.1 yards per carry. He earned a certain amount of fame for making The Athletic’s “Freaks List” twice after he squatted 615 pounds and bench-pressed 405 pounds as a freshman.
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein had Steele projected as a priority free agent.
“Steele is a ball of muscle in human form. He has the contact balance and leg strength to squeeze the most out of a carry,” Zierlein wrote. “He has decent vision but can be a bit sluggish with short-area cuts, allowing the defense to quickly rally and tackle. Steele’s value will be as a short-yardage specialist who can help wear down defenses in a downhill attack.”
After going undrafted, Steele made the Chiefs as a fullback in 2024 and played in all 17 games, earning Pro Bowl alternate honors as the runner-up in fullback voting to Patrick Ricard of the Baltimore Ravens.
Steele was one of the last roster cuts by the Chiefs in 2025 and spent the entire season on their practice squad.
Eagles Rushing Attack Fell Apart in 2025
Eagles star Saquon Barkley had one of the greatest seasons for a running back in NFL history in 2024, becoming just the ninth player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a regular season and doing so in just 16 games.
Along with winning the Super bowl, Barkley was a Pro Bowler, NFL All-Pro and NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He cashed out big in the offseason, signing a 2-year, $41.2 million contract extension which made him the first running back in NFL history to make $20 million in average annual salary.
In 2025, Barkley saw his stats almost cut in half with the exact same offensive unit around him, rushing for just 1,140 yards and 7 touchdowns in 16 games.
