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Credit: NBC
NBC came away victorious in the Mike Tomlin sweepstakes over the offseason, and on Thursday, the former longtime Pittsburgh Steelers head coach made his debut as an analyst for the network.
Tomlin joined the Football Night in America crew for NBC’s broadcast of the Pro Football Hall of Fame game between the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals to kick off the 2026 NFL preseason.
Football Night in America host Maria Taylor welcomed Tomlin to NBC to begin the broadcast and asked him what he misses and doesn’t miss about being an NFL head coach. Tomlin was Pittsburgh’s head coach from 2007 through 2025.
“I’ll start first with what I don’t miss,” Tomlin said. “I don’t miss that dorm room in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, where I spent a calendar year of my life. But I do miss the men, the brotherhood, the camaraderie, the fighting together. But I’ve gotta admit- I also appreciate the camaraderie I’m developing with this group.”
Tomlin also played the role of reporter in a walk-and-talk interview with Carolina quarterback Bryce Young.
Additionally, Tomlin opened up about new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy and the era to come in Pittsburgh.
“I know a little bit about the Steelers’ situation, to say the least,” Tomlin explained. “Mike is perfect for them, and they’re perfect for Mike. Certainly, being a Pittsburgh native, he understands the standard that is Pittsburgh, and he’ll embrace that. His coaching experience will also allow him to manage that. He’s got an awesome resume, obviously. The confetti has rained down before with his current quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. There’s no substitute for shared success. Those waters run deep. He’s positioned to do well. Certainly, there are some challenges when you come into a new situation. But, boy, there’s a lot to like about continuity in this new experience for him.”
Additionally, Tomlin and the NBC crew addressed the Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini situation and how it impacts the New England Patriots during halftime of Thursday night’s game.
NBC color commentator Cris Collinsworth explained how stunned he was that the network landed Tomlin as an analyst.
“I didn’t think it was ever going to happen… The guy never had a losing record. There’s just no way. ” Collinsworth explained, alongside play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico. “He’s a dynamic leader. He is going to be in such demand. And people are going to come at him all the time. And we’re not letting him go. That’s it. He’s a lifer now. That’s it. Just put your NBC hat on. It’s over. That’s it.”
Tomlin also joined Tirico and Collinsworth in the booth for a few minutes and wore a jersey in support of former Tennessee Titans star running back Chris Johnson, who is battling ALS.
Viewers were impressed with Tomlin in his debut as a Football Night in America analyst for NBC. Here’s a look at some of the reactions on social media:
Tomlin posted to X, “Excited and proud to be a part of this winning team. Let’s go.”
Football Night in America NFL insider Mike Florio recently explained that Tomlin is “awesome” and that he “could sit and listen to [Tomlin] all day.”
NBC, home of Sunday Night Football, announced in April that Football Night in Americawill be on the road every week for the 2026 NFL season. The combination of a new setting each week and Tomlin’s presence should energize and enhance the Football Night in America coverage on NBC broadcasts in 2026.
The post Mike Tomlin earns rave reviews in debut as NBC analyst appeared first on Awful Announcing.
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