Mike Tomlin Reportedly Set to Join NBC's NFL Pregame Show After Steelers Exit

Football fans will be seeing Mike Tomlin on their television screens during the 2026 NFL season.

The Athletic's Andrew Marchard reported Tuesday that NBC is adding the former Pittsburgh Steelers coach to its Football Night in America pregame show.

Per Marchand, Fox also had interest in Tomlin, but NBC identified him as its "No. 1 target."

For years, the NFL's media partners have been locked in an arms race to poach the biggest names possible for their programming. Marchand wrote that the paradigm might be shifting with the league aiming to renegotiate its rights deals.

If companies are paying more for NFL broadcasts, there may be less money for the on-air talent.

Marchand said NBC was nonetheless determined to land Tomlin.

One risk is that a television studio may be only a temporary stop for the 54-year-old. While he has spent 19 seasons on an NFL sideline, he's far from old in coaching terms.

Tomlin is bound to be a popular name when the next hiring cycle kicks into gear after the 2026 season. He had a .628 winning percentage with the Steelers and never posted a losing record.

The last few years of Tomlin's tenure followed a similar pattern as Pittsburgh did just enough to make the playoffs before its weaknesses were laid bare in the postseason.

Taking a year off and getting a change of scenery might be to his benefit if he envisions coaching again.

And by working for NBC, Tomlin is ensuring he isn't going too far away from the game.