Pittsburgh Steelers vs Houston Texans: Mike Tomlin, Aaron Rodgers on NFL playoffs exit
The Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Houston Texans in the NFL playoffs
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and quarterback Aaron Rodgers were non-committal about their futures after the six-time Super Bowl champions missed out on the Divisional Round of the NFL play-offs with a 30-6 home defeat by the Houston Texans.
Four-time NFL MVP Rodgers is 42 and played the final game of a one-year contract with the Steelers, while Tomlin, who has been in charge for 19 seasons, said he was “not even in that mindset” of immediately addressing his position.
“I’m not going to make any emotional decisions at this point,” said Rodgers, adding that he planned to “get away and have the right conversations”.
“I don’t think we ever got the momentum on our side. They’ve got a good defense but we had a lot of good opportunities and didn’t make the most of hardly any of them.”
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Steelers vs Texans: Tomlin ‘optimistic’
Tomlin gave Houston “a lot of credit” and observed that their defense “ruled the day”. “I’m certainly grateful for this group and their efforts,” the 53-year-old added of his players.
“We didn’t put our guys in enough positions and we didn’t make enough plays. I’m not going to make excuses – this is not an excuse business. We certainly didn’t play to our desires.
“Talk is cheap, but it’s about what you do or don’t do and we didn’t do it. I’m more in the mindset of what transpired in the stadium and what we did and didn’t do.
“You pour everything you have into these performances. I always feel optimistic in terms of what we’re capable of doing in putting together a group [for next season].”
Aaron Rodgers: Pittsburgh Steelers ‘special’
Having been at the Green Bay Packers between 2005 and 2022, Rodgers spent two seasons with the New York Jets before signing for the Steelers in June.
“It’s been such a fun year,” reflected Rodgers. “There’s been a lot of adversity but a lot of fun.
“It’s been a great overall year in my life and coming here and being part of this team has been a good part of that.
“This is a special place with excellence, tradition and all-time greats. There are only a few really special places in the league that have the tradition and the town and organization [like this].”
Houston will face New England on Saturday at Gilette Stadium (15:05 ET / 12:05 PT / 20:05 GMT), potentially followed by an AFC Championship game on January 25 against Buffalo or Denver.
Super Bowl LX is at Levi’s Stadium on February 8 (18:30 ET / 15:30 PT / 10:30 GMT),. Should Houston make the showpiece, they will meet the LA Rams, Chicago, San Francisco or Seattle.