Why Mike Tomlin is joining NBC's 'Sunday Night Football' coverage after Steelers departure

Why Mike Tomlin is joining NBC's 'Sunday Night Football' coverage after Steelers departure originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is taking the season off from coaching, but he won't be sitting on the sidelines for all of 2026.

Tomlin is joining NBC's "Sunday Night Football" panel this season, jumping into the media world after 19 seasons and two Super Bowl appearances in Pittsburgh.

Many are wondering whether the 54-year-old Tomlin would coach again, but reports after he stepped down as coach of the Steelers indicated he doesn't have any immediate plans to get back on the sideline. That means he could become a long-term fixture in prime-time as an analyst.

Here's what you need to know about Tomlin's decision to join the "Sunday Night Football."

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Why Mike Tomlin is joining NBC

Despite Fox reportedly showing interest in Tomlin after his exit in Pittsburgh, the longtime coach decided to join NBC's "Sunday Night Football" pregame and halftime panel.

Tomlin joins NBC as the network reshuffles its "Sunday Night Football" panel. While the booth of Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth will remain untouched, Tony Dungy won't return in his role as a studio analyst while the futures of Rodney Harrison, Jac Collinsworth and Chris Simms are also up in the air, according to The Athletic.

Tomlin is set to be part of a group that includes Maria Taylor, Jason Garrett and Devin McCourty.