Steelers Playoff Loss: What's Next After Jaguars' Stunning Upset

PITTSBURGH, PA - The Jacksonville Jaguars’ stunning 45-42 upset of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC divisional playoffs on Sunday left the Jags one win away from the Super Bowl. As for the Steelers, a season with Super Bowl expectations ends in disappointment and has fans wondering what the future holds.

One certainty exists: the Steelers will face the team that smacked them badly twice at home next season on the road. The Black-and-Gold visit Jacksonville at a date yet to be determined.

But what else will the 2018 season bring? Here’s what football writers and analysts were reporting in the wake of the loss:

• Big Ben will be back.

"I don't know about contracts and who is coming back but I know the guys up front are and that makes it good for me," Roethlisberger said following the loss, after contemplating retirement last off-season. "So, I look forward to next year with those guys."

• Todd Haley might not.

“The Steelers are at a crossroads with (offensive coordinator) Todd Haley,” the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport stated. “He's a free agent after this year, his relationship with Big Ben is strained... but the QB is playing his best football.”

• A replacement for Ryan Shazier could be pursued.

“The reality is Shazier may never play again. Even if he’s not permanently injured, he may never return to football,” Josh Hill of Fansided wrote of the linebacker who suffered a significant spinal injury this season. “Pittsburgh can’t afford to allow a hole to remain in the middle of its defense, as the absence of Shazier exposed the Steelers in a big way against Jacksonville on Sunday.”

• Next season’s schedule appears to be difficult.

In addition to the Jaguars, the Steelers play five other teams that made the playoffs this season: the New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints.

Photo: Associated Press.