The final game of the season was nothing short of a nightmare for Aaron Rodgers. In addition to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans-which eliminated them from playoff contention-the 21-year veteran struggled mightily, throwing for just 146 yards and failing to spark his offense.
It wasn’t only Rodgers who faltered. The game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was riddled with mistakes. Despite the sloppy play, the Texans led just 7-6 at halftime.
After a scoreless third quarter, Houston erupted in the fourth, scoring 23 unanswered points-14 of them courtesy of its defense.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud also endured a rough outing, committing two fumbles and an interception. Rodgers, however, failed to capitalize on those miscues.
Rodgers’ disastrous night in Pittsburgh
For three quarters, Rodgers avoided turnovers but never managed to crack the Texans’ defense. Aside from two Chris Boswell field goals (32 and 35 yards), most of Pittsburgh’s drives ended in punts.
Houston’s defense, coordinated by Matt Burke, lived up to its billing as the NFL’s best. The unit blanketed Steelers receivers and shut down the running game, leaving Rodgers with few options.
The Texans’ fourth-quarter surge included a 51-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn, a 13-yard rushing touchdown by Jo’quavious Marks, and two defensive scores.
Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins forced a fumble, recovered it, and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown. Minutes later, safety Calen Bullock intercepted Rodgers and ran it back 50 yards for another score.
What’s next for Aaron Rodgers?
With the game out of reach, Rodgers did not lead the Steelers’ final drive, fueling speculation about his future.
The four-time MVP signed a one-year, $13.6 million contract with Pittsburgh and became a free agent as soon as the final whistle blew.
After a season of highs and lows, it remains unclear how team owner and president Art Rooney II views Rodgers’ performance. With free agency and the draft looming, the Steelers have multiple avenues to pursue a replacement, if they decide to move on.
