Mike Tomlin makes career decision with first major step towards lucrative new job away from NFL

Mike Tomlin isn’t done with football just yet.

The 54-year-old opted to walk away from his role as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers at the end of last season after 19 years at the helm.

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But Tomlin is a deeply charismatic figure, which had some tout him to make the transition into sports media.

All signs now appear to be pointing to just that.

According to a report from Front Office Sports, Tomlin has just signed with longtime sports media agent Sandy Montag’s agency.

“EXCLUSIVE: Mike Tomlin is gearing up for a post-coaching career in sports media,” Front Office Sports reported on X.

“The ex-Steelers coach has signed with sports media agents Sandy Montag and Alex Flanagan, sources tell FOS.”

Per FOS’ report, Tomlin will have both Montag and former sportscaster-turned-agent Alex Flanagan represent him in any potential contract talks with networks and streaming services.

Back in January, when the Steelers were still battling for the AFC North crown, ESPN’s Peter Schrager revealed that Tomlin had a career in sports media waiting for him, should he have found himself on the chopping block from his role as head coach.

“Having worked in the TV game for quite some bit,” Schrager said on First Take. “I will tell you, having worked at Fox, having worked at NFL Network, and now here at ESPN, there is a chair waiting – whether it be in the booth or on one of these wonderful, warm, weather-controlled sets — for Mike Tomlin to make a lot of money talking football if he so wishes for a year.

“Or, he can pick his spot of open vacant jobs.”

Tomlin left the Steelers with a regular-season of 193-114-2 and led them to victory in Super Bowl XLIII.

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Where could Tomlin land?

With many broadcasters expected to compete to acquire Tomlin’s services, this begs the question of which network he will wind up with.

There is currently an opening at NBC after they parted ways with veteran analyst – and beloved figure – Tony Dungy after 17 years on Football Night in America.

CBS Sports also has a vacant seat in the studio of The NFL Today pregame show after Matt Ryan departed to take up a front office role with his former team, Atlanta Falcons.

CBS had brought in Kirk Cousins as Ryan’s replacement for the postseason, where he impressed, but reports indicate that the 38-year-old quarterback is still seeking an opportunity to play for an NFL team in 2026.

Then there is of course Fox, who boasts star-studded talent including that of all-time great quarterback Tom Brady – who is on a 10-year, $375 million deal as the network’s lead color commentator – as well as the likes of Rob Gronkowski, Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long.

With Montag also representing high-profile sportscasters including that of Jim Nantz (CBS), Scott Van Pelt (ESPN/ABC), Dick Vitale (ESPN) and Mike Tirico (NBC), there really is no way to guess where Tomlin may land.

Wherever he goes, though, he is sure to be a huge asset to their coverage, and will attract a whole host of fans in the process.

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