The Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping to end their drought of playoff wins before it reaches a decade in the 2026 season. Unfortunately for the Steelers, it is beginning to look like another season where a fast start by a veteran quarterback is derailed and the season finishes in disappointing fashion.
Last year, the veteran quarterback was Russell Wilson. This season, Aaron Rodgers has helmed the offense. Rodgers has four MVPs to his name in the NFL and certainly elevated some rosters in his days with the Green Bay Packers.
However, many fans were worried that his days of being able to almost singlehandedly drag a team into title contention are behind him in his age-41 season. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin seemed to confirm exactly that in his Tuesday press conference.
“Mike Tomlin says the Chargers used schematics force the ball elsewhere away from DK Metcalf in the passing game and that those other players didn’t step up to make plays,” reported Nick Farabaugh.
> Mike Tomlin says the Chargers used schematics force the ball elsewhere away from DK Metcalf in the passing game and that those other players didn't step up to make plays.
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> — Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) [November 11, 2025](https://twitter.com/FarabaughFB/status/1988292011670339646?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
Once upon a time, Rodgers would have been more than capable of stepping up himself, but at this point in his career it seems clear that the Steelers will need more from the pieces around him.
Fans reacted to Tomlin’s words on social media.
“This offensive scheme ain’t it. It’s one dimensional. Steelers need an offensive minded head coach. Steelers won’t get to another playoff game playing like they just did,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“It’s not another WR! It’s making an adjustment to counter the defensive scheme! Besides no cast off WR would have been better than what the Steelers have,” someone else added.
“Kind of hard to make plays when 3 tight ends are on the \[expletive\] field for most of the game. We could use a guy like George Pickens that takes away some pressure off of DK,” one fan added.
It’ll be interesting to see how Rodgers looks down the second half of the season.