In what might be the closing chapter of Aaron Rodgers’ illustrious career, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback struggled and faltered, suffering a crushing defeat against the surging Houston Texans.
Rodgers endured a tough night, losing two fumbles, taking four sacks, and managing only 146 passing yards as his team fell 30-6.
The Texans capped off their victory with a damaging pick-six from Rodgers — a pass that could be his last in the NFL.
At 42, Rodgers had hinted before the season began that it might be his swan song, irrespective of how the year panned out.
When pressed about his future post-game, Rodgers stated, “I’m not making any emotional decisions,” and mentioned he’ll take some time to “get away” and have “the right conversations” before deciding his next move.
After barely making the playoffs, the Steelers, led by Rodgers, appeared lifeless against the league’s top defense. Their meager six points marked the lowest playoff score for a Rodgers-led team, as noted by ESPN’s Joe Buck.
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers walked off the field for what may be the last time
Rodgers, 42, bowed out with a humiliating defeat to the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card
Rodgers tossed a pick-six as what may be the final throw of his storied football career
Rodgers admitted, as reported in the game by ESPN’s Lisa Salters, that his career is ‘probably’ over after this game – further adding that ‘this feels like the end’.
If this is the end of the future Hall-of-Famer’s career, it concluded more in the guise of Dan Marino than Peyton Manning.
The only points the Steelers scored on the night came from field goals on offensive drives number two and five.
As for the others? Six ended with punts, one ended with a Rodgers strip-sack and one ended on the aforementioned pick-six before the final drive of the game killed the clock on an embarrassing evening in the Steel City.
Rodgers wasn’t even given the courtesy of leading the final drive. After the pick-six, he was pulled for Mason Rudolph.
After exchanging handshakes at midfield, a sullen Rodgers walked off the field – hounded by cameras and cheered at by fans before heading down the tunnel and into the locker room.
Cameras caught him sharing a brief, yet meaningful, hug with Marques Valdez-Scantling – a receiver he often favored in Green Bay.
Not only may this spell the end to Rodgers’ career, it could also indicate the end of the line for Steelers coach Mike Tomlin – who became the first coach in franchise history to go nine straight seasons without a win in the playoffs.
This game may also spell the end of the tenure of head coach Mike Tomlin in the Steel City
A dejected Steelers fan looks on after their team lost an NFL Wild Card game on Monday
Houston’s offense needed a whole quarter to get going. After punting on their first drive and turning the ball over on their second, the Texans engineered a lengthy 14 play drive ending with a six-yard touchdown pass from CJ Stroud to Christian Kirk.
The third quarter was a slog – with a Stroud interception and three straight punts serving as the only action.
Stroud did not have the best of evenings, completing 21-of-32 passes for 250 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Additionally, top pass catcher Nico Collins was carted off to the locker room with a reported concussion.
But the Texans stepped up in the fourth quarter – led by their vaunted defense.
After a field goal to open the final frame, pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. strip sacked Rodgers and ran the fumble back for a touchdown to go up 17-6.
Pittsburgh stalled out and punted, leading to a lengthy drive ending in a 13-yard rush for rookie running back Woody Marks.
Then, finally, the pick-six was the death blow to the Steelers’ season – and the end to the night for Rodgers.
Houston, which has now won ten-straight games, travels to Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots in an AFC Divisional round matchup at 3:30pm ET on ESPN.
Rodgers was pulled after his final throw was taken back for a TD by Calen Bullock (2)
Rodgers greets Texans quarterback CJ Stroud following a Wild Card game defeat
But while the Texans will prepare for their next game, Rodgers will potentially prepare for a new career. Or, at least, that’s what’s been suggested all season long.
However, new reports from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport indicate that there may be a change of heart for the quarterback.
‘You saw that embrace between Aaron Rodgers and [Steelers head coach] Mike Tomlin,’ Rapoport, a long-time NFL insider, said during Monday’s network appearance. ‘That is real. Both of them have enjoyed the other this season.’
Rodgers signed a one-year, $13.6million deal with the Steelers after the Jets announced their intention to release him in early 2025. Since then, he’s led Pittsburgh to a 10-7 record and a playoff berth, while tossing occasionally directing criticism at New York.
It hasn’t been a perfect season for Rodgers, who threw for just 207.6 yards a game. But, with wins in five of their last six heading into the postseason, the 42-year-old is reportedly embracing his time in Pittsburgh.
‘Rodgers actually began the season openly stating that he believed it’d be his last year,’ Rapoport said. ‘Except, it’s gone so well in Pittsburgh, he’s shown enough offensively, he’s enjoyed his time in the locker room, that he’s open to returning for another season. I understand the Steelers would welcome this.’
Pittsburgh has not won a playoff game since the 2016 season when they beat the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional round. They then lost to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game, who would go on to complete the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history by overcoming a 25-point deficit in Super Bowl LI.
