Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin will join NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” coverage as a pregame analyst and not return to the sidelines for the upcoming 2026 season, according to reports.
The Athletic was the first to report on Tomlin’s latest move; however, NBC has not announced the move.
More about former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin joining NBC’s Sunday night pregame show, “Football Night in America,” as a studio analyst, via @bepryor:https://t.co/wLUGmSljjf
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 21, 2026
Tomlin stepped down in January after 19 seasons as Steelers coach and was the most sought-after NFL coaching free agent by sports networks.
NBC had a studio opening as it is retooling its “Football Night in America” pregame show after Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy announced last month that he was told he would not be back after 17 years.
Host Maria Taylor and former Cowboys coach Jason Garrett are expected to return.
Fellow co-host Devin McCourty’s contract expired at the conclusion of last season, but NBC would like to re-sign him.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio and fantasy sports expert Matthew Berry are also expected to continue their roles.
However, the Athletic reported that Tomlin’s contract will include a clause that allows him to return to coaching if that is his wish.
He has two years left on a contract extension he signed with the Steelers in 2024, including a club option for 2027.
The Steelers could seek compensation from a team if Tomlin sought to return before his contract expired, according to the Associated Press.
One network executive said that coaches often join the media with expectations they’ll eventually step back into coaching, but because the pressure of television doesn’t equal that of coaching in the NFL and the money is very good, they never leave.
The 54-year-old Tomlin won 193 regular-season games in Pittsburgh, tied with Hall of Famer Chuck Noll for the most victories in franchise history. He led the Steelers to an NFL title in his second season in 2008 when they beat the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl 43. Pittsburgh returned to the Super Bowl two years later, but lost to the Green Bay Packers.
Tomlin had limited postseason success after that. He had an 8-12 mark in the playoffs, including seven straight losses at the end of his tenure, all by double digits.
Insiders believe Tomlin will be a standout behind the camera as he is known for having a way with words, along with his deep understanding of the game.
Tomlin was known for his ability to turn a phrase during interactions with the media during his coaching tenure, coining such viral examples as:
- “We want volunteers, not hostages.”
- “We’re not trying to win a preseason game. We’re trying to build a team.”
- “We’re not in the business of collecting splash plays. We’re in the business of winning games.”
- “Style points are for figure skating.”
- “I’ve grown comfortable with the uncomfortable.”