It sounds like Mike Tomlin is enjoying being an analyst for NBC, but would he ever return to the NFL as a head coach? The former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach wouldn't rule it out completely.
During an NBC Sports conference call (via Brooke Pryor), Tomlin said he's enjoying the challenges of his new job. When asked about potentially returning to coaching, he said he hasn't given it much thought. He would not completely shut the door on taking a job if the opportunity presents itself later on, though.
“Haven't given one iota of thought about coaching,” Tomlin said, adding, “I'm sure that'll come up in the not so distant future, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.”
Will Mike Tomlin return to NFL coaching after joining NBC as an analyst?
It sounds like, at the very least, Tomlin does not want to fully shut the door on anything. He said he will “cross that bridge when I get to it” if he receives an offer.
There are job openings every offseason in the NFL. Tomlin is only 54, so he has time to enjoy his media career before jumping back onto the sidelines, but we'll see if he fields any offers after the 2026 season. More than likely, he would be a coveted commodity.
Tomlin was previously the coach of the Steelers from 2007 to 2025. The AFC North looks a lot different this year after Tomlin and Jim Harbaugh's departures from the Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, respectively.
During his time with the Steelers, Tomlin led them to one Super Bowl victory. The team also never finished with a losing record in his entire tenure.
He didn't take long to announce his next move. Tomlin joined NBC's Football Night in America crew, delivering analysis before and after the games and news at halftime.