Mike Tomlin didn’t stay with the Minnesota Vikings for long (2006), but purple fans still claim him nevertheless. Now, a few months removed from the Pittsburgh Steelers, he’s heading into the booth as an analyst.
Tomlin’s move to NBC may look like a career detour, but it also keeps him relevant to any future Vikings coaching speculation.
The arrangement could be a one-year pit stop for the future Hall of Fame coach.
If you thought you’d miss Tomlin, well, he’s already back.
It’s Sunday Night Football for Tomlin. ESPN’s Brooke Pryor wrote Tuesday, “For the first time in two decades, Mike Tomlin won’t be on an NFL sideline this fall. Tomlin, known for his one-of-a-kind oration, will be in the studio instead. The former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach is joining NBC’s Sunday night pregame show, ‘Football Night in America,’ as a studio analyst, sources confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.”
“Talks between Tomlin and the network picked up steam in Augusta, Georgia, two weeks ago, sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Tomlin, 53, is the second former Steelers head coach to make a foray into broadcasting, joining his predecessor, Bill Cowher, who joined CBS as a studio analyst in 2007 after stepping down from the Steelers. Cowher never returned to coaching.”
It’s not a hot take to suggest Tomlin will be marvelous in the role.
The Athletic‘s Andrew Marchand also noted, “Fox showed some interest in Tomlin, but NBC had the biggest need for his services. The network is reimagining its pregame show, a move that has already led to Tony Dungy’s dismissal after 17 seasons.”
“The roles of Rodney Harrison, Jac Collinsworth and Chris Simms are also in question as the network seeks more current star power and fewer people on the show. NBC Sports declined to comment. Tomlin will join host Maria Taylor, ex-Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett and Devin McCourty on set.”
Over the last decade, the Steelers habitually did the same thing: post a winning record, exalt Tomlin to the high heavens for it late December and early January, get to the playoffs, and refuse to win a game. Wash, rinse, repeat.
The routine evidently grew stale, as Pittsburgh and Tomlin mutually parted ways after the Houston Texans crushed the Steelers in the playoffs in January. There was not much steam about Tomlin interviewing for head coaching jobs around the league thereafter, and in fact, many exactly predicted the eventual outcome — he’d join the booth somewhere.
The Steelers later hired Mike McCarthy from Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys fame, which was funny because he’s basically Tomlin, in a nutshell, though he doesn’t have the same consistent success.
A Name to Keep an Eye on for the Vikings if Things Go Bad
Tomlin to Minnesota would not be weird. Let’s just get out there. His connection with Vikings ownership will forever position him as a candidate whenever the head coach role is considered.
The 2026 season will be the critical juncture for Kevin O’Connell’s tenure. If the Vikings make significant progress — securing a postseason berth and finally achieving a playoff win — speculation will cease. O’Connell’s job will be secure, and external chatter will stop.
However, O’Connell’s current record — four seasons, two playoff appearances, and zero playoff wins — remains a significant factor. While he has earned more patience than many NFL head coaches, such a track record typically shortens a coach’s leash. External pressure will intensify if results don’t improve, and by the 2026 training camp, you can already expect to see O’Connell on “hot seat” lists.
Should the 2026 season conclude without a substantial playoff push, the coaching door will swing wide open. A change at that point would surprise no one. Tomlin, with his stability, experience, and established connection to the Vikings’ owners, would become an obvious candidate.
The only hassle? The Vikings would have to trade for Tomlin. He has the Sean-Payton-Saints deal, where his next team might have to donate draft picks to get him. An annoyance.
Tomlin turned 54 last month. Assuming the Sunday Night Football relationship is a one-hit wonder — it may not be — he’ll obviously have a market during next year’s coaching carousel. In addition to the Vikings, if O’Connell doesn’t produce, here’s a list of possible teams that could pursue Tomlin:
Of course, if any of those teams win and play well, their respective head coaches won’t be fired. The list assumes that things go poorly or a coach retires.