04/21/26 10:43:00
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04/21 10:42 CDT Former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin joining NBC's pregame show,
AP sources say
Former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin joining NBC's pregame show, AP sources say
By JOE REEDY
AP Sports Writer
Mike Tomlin is going from the glare of an NFL sideline to the glare of
television lights.
The former Pittsburgh Steelers coach will join NBC's "Sunday Night Football"
coverage as a pregame analyst, two people briefed on the move told The
Associated Press on Tuesday.
The people spoke on condition of anonymity because NBC has not announced the
move. The Athletic was the first to report on Tomlin.
Tomlin stepped down in January after 19 seasons as Steelers coach and was the
most sought after free agent by the networks. NBC had a studio opening as it is
retooling its "Football Night in America" pregame show. 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. 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.
The futures of Jac Collinsworth, Rodney Harrison and Chris Simms remain
undetermined.
NBC has had its main studio crew at its network sports headquarters in
Stamford, Connecticut, with Harrison, Collinsworth and Dungy at the game
locations in previous seasons, but NBC is considering having its entire studio
show from the stadium.
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.
Pittsburgh won the AFC North last season, but were routed 30-6 by the Houston
Texans in the wild-card round, which was the most lopsided home playoff loss in
team history.
The bigger question for Tomlin is whether the analyst gig will be for one
season only. He has two years left on a contract extension he signed 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.
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