Mike Tomlin has made a seamless transition into his new role as an NFL analyst, joining the NBC team for the upcoming season. Audiences have already expressed their admiration for his insightful commentary.
The esteemed 54-year-old coach, known for his extensive leadership with the Pittsburgh Steelers, stepped down in January after an impressive 19-year tenure with the team.
As a sought-after Super Bowl-winning coach, Tomlin was courted by several networks, but it was NBC that secured his talents. This season, he will be the prominent analyst on NBC’s premier Sunday pregame show, ‘Football Night in America.’
Joining forces with host Maria Taylor, former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett, and Devin McCourty, Tomlin will provide expert insights during NBC’s ‘Sunday Night Football’ broadcasts in the months ahead.
Tomlin hit the ground running, delivering a standout performance by interviewing Panthers quarterback Bryce Young before the game. He appeared completely at home as he delved into conversations about this year’s Hall of Fame inductees.
Mike Tomlin has officially started life as an NFL analyst after signing with NBC for the season
The ex-Steelers coach got straight to work with an interview with Panthers QB Bryce Young
Tomlin also tipped the Los Angeles Rams to win the Super Bowl in February and, as a former AFC North head coach, hailed their move to sign defensive powerhouse Aaron Donald from the Cleveland Browns.
Viewers quickly went to social media to heap praise on Tomlin, with one describing him as ‘made for TV’.
Another commented: ‘Mike this is your rest of life job man. You built for this.. going to enjoy SNF with Tomlin.’
A third posted: ‘Mike Tomlin is a natural with the microphone in this fashion. He’s going to be making big bucks doing this in no time.’
‘Mike Tomlin is going to be great at this,’ another declared.
One viewer posted: ‘Mike Tomlin is tremendous on NBC. Incredible. I can’t get enough. He’s must see TV.’
‘No way Mike Tomlin is this good on TV already but I’m not surprised,’ another admitted.
Another viewer added: ‘Mike Tomlin is talking on my TV and this makes me very happy. I’m excited to see him grow in this new broadcaster analyst role. You know he will keep it real.’
Fox, who are paying Tom Brady $375million over 10 years to call games, reportedly showed interest in Tomlin as a replacement for Jimmy Johnson but NBC has been busy refreshing its roster this offseason.
The network has been overhauling its pregame shows and parted ways with NFL legend Tony Dungy after 17 seasons on the air last month.
Tomlin, who won the Lombardi Trophy with the Steelers at the end of the 2008 season, walked away after his team suffered a disappointing playoff exit against the Houston Texans in January.
He signed with veteran sports media agent Sandy Montag’s agency, who represented John Madden and handles the affairs of a stunning group of on-air talent, including Mike Tirico, Jim Nantz, Scott Van Pelt, James Brown and Dick Vitale.
Tomlin ensured the Steelers never had a losing season while he was in charge. But the franchise enjoyed a frustrating lack of playoff success, last winning a postseason game in 2016.
The Steelers’ 30-6 loss to the Texans in January’s wild card round means they have now lost seven straight playoff games, the longest active streak in the league.
He was replaced by Mike McCarthy, another Super Bowl-winning coach, and Aaron Rodgers has returned for what will be his final season.
The 54-year-old legendary head coach stepped down from his job with the Steelers in January
He guided them to Super Bowl glory in 2008 but then enjoyed a frustrating lack of success
Tomlin told his players he would be taking a break from coaching and, true to his word, he didn’t interview for a single opening in the NFL this offseason.
He finally addressed his Steelers exit in in an interview with Taylor back in April, admitting he grew tired of the ‘loneliness’ that comes with being a head coach.
‘It’s probably not an overnight decision, but it’s probably not something that I can articulate or share with people,’ Tomlin said.
‘There is a loneliness with leadership. I just thought it was a good time for me personally, and by that I just mean where I am in life.
‘And I thought it was a good time for the organization, to be quite honest with you.’