Jan. 13 (UPI) — Aaron Rodgers is unsure about his NFL future, but voiced support for Mike Tomlin after a Pittsburgh Steelers’ playoff loss to the Houston Texans.

The Steelers quarterback spoke about the veteran coach at his postgame news conference after the 30-6 wild card setback Monday in Pittsburgh. Tomlin’s Steelers have now lost seven-consecutive playoff games, prompting questions about if the veteran coach is on the hot seat.

“When I first got in the league, there wouldn’t be conversation about whether those guys were on the hot seat,” Rodgers said, when asked about Tomlin’s future as Steelers coach. “But the way that the league is covered now and the way that there’s snap decisions and the validity given to the Twitter experts and all the experts on TV now who make it seem like they know what the hell they’re talking about, to me that’s an absolute joke.

“And for either those two guys to be on the hot seat is really apropos of where we’re at as a society and a league, because obviously [Green Bay Packers coach] Matt [LaFleur’s] done a lot of great things in Green Bay, and we had a lot of success.”

The Steelers (10-8) were out-gained 408-175 in total yards in Monday’s loss. They logged just 63 rushing yards, well below their lackluster season average (103). The Texans’ top-ranked defense logged four sacks, forced two turnovers and scored two defensive touchdowns.

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud completed 21 of 32 passes for 250 yards, a score and an interception. Running back Woody Marks logged 112 yards and a score on 19 carries. Wide receiver Christian Kirk caught eight passes for 144 yards and a score.

Rodgers completed 17 of 33 passes for 146 yards. He also threw an interception and lost a fumble. Texans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins returned the fumble for a 33-yard touchdown. Safety Calen Bullock returned the interception for a 50-yard score.

BIG MAN DOING BIG THINGS!!

: @nflonespn pic.twitter.com/mmTejl0yL8— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 13, 2026

The Steelers won the AFC North and made the playoffs despite totaling the eighth-fewest yards and allowing the seventh-most in the NFL. They finished their 19th-consecutive non-losing season under Tomlin. But like their previous postseason runs, they exited early.

Tomlin, who won a Super Bowl in his second season with the Steelers, went 8-5 through his first 13 postseason games with the Steelers. Former coach Bill Cowher, who won a Super Bowl in 2005-06, was 12-9 in the postseason over his 15-year tenure with the AFC North franchise.

“Mike T. has had more success than damn near anybody in the league for the last 19, 20 years,” Rodgers said. “And more than that, though, when you have the right guy and the culture is right, you don’t think about making a change, but there’s a lot of pressure that comes from the outside and obviously that sways decisions from time to time.

“But it’s not how I would do things and not how the league used to be.”

Tomlin said he feels “optimistic,” when asked about the Steelers’ 2026-27 outlook. The veteran coach is under contract in 2026, with a team option in 2027. He acknowledged frustrated fans Monday, but also said he wasn’t “in the mindset” to talk about his future.

“I’m not even in that mindset as I sit here,” Tomlin said. “I’m more in the mindset of what transpired in this stadium and certainly what we did and didn’t do. Not a big-picture mentality as I sit here.”

PICK SIX FOR THE HAWKK

: @nflonespn pic.twitter.com/GqBFls4KrW— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 13, 2026

Rodgers, who is set to hit free agency this off-season, was mum on the prospect of a 2026 return. He previously stated that the 2025 season was likely his final NFL campaign. He told reporters he wasn’t “going to talk about that,” when asked if he would play for the Steelers if he did decide to extend his career.

“I’m not going to make any emotional decisions,” Rodgers said. “At this point, obviously such a fun year. A lot of adversity, but a lot of fun. Been a great year overall in my life in the last year, and this is a really good part of that, coming here and being part of this team.

“So it’s disappointing to be sitting here with the season over.”

The Texans (13-5) will battle the top-seeded New England Patriots (15-3) in the divisional round at 3 p.m. EST Sunday in Foxborough, Mass.