Tomlin reportedly joining NBC as "Football Night in America" analyst

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin faces reporters following an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is joining NBC Sports to serve as a studio analyst on “Football Night in America,” according to a report by Andrew Marchand of The Athletic.

Tomlin, who would be making his debut as a full-time television analyst, is reportedly expected to work alongside Maria Taylor, Jason Garrett and Devin McCourty on the retooling pregame show — which is believed to be slimming down its cast and potentially moving exclusively on the road to the site of games. He would be the first new member of the “Football Night” cast since 2023.

NBC Sports declined comment to Sports Media Watch.

Tomlin stepped down as Steelers head coach following the 2025 season, ending a 19-tenure that included a Super Bowl title in 2009. It remains unknown if he would want to resume coaching in the future.

“Football Night in America” — annually the most-watched NFL studio show thanks to its primetime window — could undergo more changes prior to the season amidst uncertainty around the status of Rodney Harrison, Jac Collinsworth and Chris Simms. Longtime analyst Tony Dungy confirmed after the season that he would not be returning to “Football Night in America” next season after 17 years on the studio program.

Fox reportedly had interest in adding Tomlin, but NBC per Marchand had “the biggest need for his services.”

Marchand reported that Tomlin’s free agency “was watered down partly” because the NFL is expected to attempt expediting its existing media rights negotiations. NBC’s current deal runs through 2034 and contains an opt-out the league can enact following the 2029 season, but the league is believed to want new deals in place before the start of this coming season. NBC Sports president Rick Cordella said on the “Sports Media Watch Podcast” last October that the company will hold rights to Super Bowl LXIV no matter what transpires.

“We talk to the NFL daily, maybe every other day,” Cordella said at the time. “It’s one of these relationships that we have, that it would be no surprise if they want to talk about the future and where things are going. We welcome those conversations and have them. Do we strike a deal prior? Do they have real serious negotiations — that’s really up to the NFL.”

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Derek Futterman

Derek Futterman is a multimedia content producer for Sports Media Watch based in the New York metropolitan area. Throughout his career, he has worked for Barrett Sports Media, the Long Island Herald and NY2C. In addition, he previously interned for Showtime Networks, the New York Islanders and Digital Waterworx. To get in touch, find him on X @derekfutterman.

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Comments 6

Rick James Bible Owner says:

6 months ago

I hear you on Billy Donovan to ESPN, but they’ve been burned by too many using their analyst chair as a pit stop. ESPN would hate to sign ‘Orlando Magic coach for 5 Days’ Billy Donovan to a contract unless he wouldn’t jump at the first AD that gives him a Kentucky-esque NIL warchest or if Kentucky had an actual AD and not a recently retired sponge and fired Mark Pope, Billy would leave before doing a second segment with Brian Custer on the Transfer Portal. They could use a Rick Majerus (RIP)/Tom Brennan-type thats entertaining and insightful that’s also out of the coaching carousel so ESPN doesn’t have to share analysts like a joint with other networks like Tom Crean or Josh Pastner.
Rick James Bible Owner says:

6 months ago

I had been (rather foolishly to this point) advocating for Tomlin to get a big TV gig since he and the Steelers ‘parted ways,’ or whatever corporate gobbleygook that meant he left the head coaching position, and not every place is a fit. As ill-fitting as Tomlin would be on an assembly-line of a take factory, it took only *one* accurate take about the Eagles ‘tush-push’ offense by Drew Brees on F—t T–e (and one drunken Indy rampage for Mark Sanchez) to get a high analyst chair at Fox, but the studio is probably best for Mike. If they relegate the Mad Clapper to the ‘faux College Gameday’ on-site desk for Tomlin (if they keep it), this move would be seamless. What worries me is if the bean counters are so concerned that a $5 million/yr (or so) analyst hire would derail keeping a money 3D Printer, how tight things really are for these networks. Jason Kelce is probably a cautionary tale of ‘hiring the hot name,’ but the signing of a White Elephant shouldn’t be the reason ESPN keeps their NFL spots or not. If that were the case, in an alternate reality, re-signing Stephen A. would’ve cost Four Letters the NBA package.
Ryan Strnad says:

6 months ago

Was hoping he’s end up at Fox. Maybe TONY DUNGY could end up on their studio show.
JEAN H PIERRE says:

6 months ago

Interesting to see how he does on television. I know in press conferences he’s good but press conference and TV are two totally different things.
ESL says:

6 months ago

I am curious to see if Tomlin takes the route of his predecessor with the Steelers Bill Cowher. He will think about coaching again, but, after experiencing broadcasting a year, will Tomlin decide this is a much less stressful job. He may end up saying “I could stay in this for 20 years. Who needs coaching again.” I could see it happening.
Nate Johnson says:

6 months ago

Great explanation as to why NBC’s studio team news is dragging. It’s also hard to believe that the Super Bowl was a little over 2 months ago so it’s clear that NBC is in no rush to make significant decisions regarding their studio team going forward. Tomlin added to it will help bring attention to their coverage since he’s a recognizable name and face that’ll command better attention than the other analysts on NBC.

In non-related news to this article, I saw that Billy Donovan stepped down as Bulls Head Coach. Assuming he doesn’t pick up the Bucks, Pelicans, possibly Warriors, and possibly Magic head coaching position, I believe ESPN should lure him in as a replacement for Mike Malone. I also believe they should look at him as a College Basketball contributor, especially on Gameday. I don’t know how the TNT/NBA settlement looks like given how Inside is the primary studio team on ESPN’s NBA coverage while this possible completion sale of Warner-Bros from Paramount is shadowing in the sky. With that said, I believe they should look at Billy Donovan’s direction as well to contribute to College Basketball/March Madness and also here and there for Inside the NBA.

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Nielsen has reprocessed the viewership for NBC’s four NFL games from Week 1-3 of the season. The Patriots-Seahawks Kickoff Game has been updated to 25.2 million, up from an originally-reported 25.1 million. The Week 1 Cowboys-Giants “Sunday Night Football” game has been updated to 25.82 million, up from 25.66 million. Colts-Chiefs the following week has been updated to 24.43 million, up from 24.29 million. Finally, Rams-Broncos in Week 3 has been updated to 20.96 million, up from 20.77 million.