Tomlin Says He Is Not Considering Coaching Return

Mike Tomlin said he has not seriously considered returning to NFL coaching and is enjoying his new role as an NBC studio analyst, while leaving open the possibility that he may revisit the question in the future.

During an NBC conference call ahead of the Steelers-Bengals game, Tomlin said coaching had not crossed his mind and that he was focused on improving as a broadcaster. He said the prospect might come up in the near future, but he would decide what to do when that time came.

Tomlin stepped down as Pittsburgh’s head coach after the 2025 season, ending a 19-year tenure. He joined NBC as a studio analyst for Football Night in America, where he provides analysis of games and league developments. The Steelers’ former coach said he was having fun in the role and was excited to keep working at it.

His comments came as reports attributed to league sources described potential interest from NFL teams if Tomlin were willing to return. An NFL official told a reporter that some teams with coaching vacancies could consider creating an opening to pursue him. That account did not establish that any team had made an offer, and Tomlin did not say he intended to leave NBC.