Tomlin Debuts on NBC, Leaves Coaching Door Open

Mike Tomlin's first week as a television analyst has drawn attention for both his on-air stumbles and his refusal to close the door on a return to the NFL sideline. The former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach made his regular-season debut as an analyst on NBC's Football Night in America on Wednesday night, covering the season opener between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Before kickoff, Tomlin repeatedly referred to Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba as JNS rather than JSN, and host Maria Taylor corrected him on air. The two laughed off the moment, and Tomlin resumed his analysis. The Seahawks won the game 13-10, with Smith-Njigba, the 2025 AP Offensive Player of the Year, catching a 45-yard game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter while Patriots quarterback Drake Maye threw three interceptions, all in the final period. Tomlin's debut came days after he addressed his coaching future in an interview with Cris Collinsworth. Asked whether he might return to the sideline, Tomlin said, It's certainly not a 32-team league for me, but I've also learned to never say never.