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| Mike Tomlin |
Mike Tomlin, after stepping down as Pittsburgh Steelers head coach following 19 seasons, is widely expected to pursue a lucrative career in sports media, with multiple networks poised to offer him high-profile analyst roles.
Industry sources and reports indicate strong interest from major broadcasters, as Tomlin—known for his communication skills, Super Bowl-winning pedigree, and success without a losing season—is viewed as a top-tier talent, reports Front Office Sports.
- CBS: A seat just opened up next to Cowher on The NFL Today with the departure of Matt Ryan to the Falcons. After moving J.J. Watt to game analyst, the granddaddy of all NFL studio shows is down two cast members. But does new CBS Sports chief David Berson want to have two former Steelers coaches on the same show?
- Fox: Tomlin could slide perfectly into former Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson’s seat on Fox NFL Sunday. He’s got the Super Bowl pedigree and the experience to chop it up with Terry Bradshaw & Co. But Fox has been giving more on-air reps to Rob Gronkowski this season. Does it want to upset the show’s chemistry?
- ESPN: As a rule, big bosses Jimmy Pitaro and Burke Magnus look into every potential star who comes on the market. There have been growing rumors Rex Ryan has the itch to return to coaching. Tomlin would be the perfect replacement for the former Jets coach on Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday’s Get Up with Mike Greenberg. Did we mention Scott Van Pelt’s Monday Night Countdown doesn’t have a coach in its cast? Tomlin could be another Nick Saban–like coup for the worldwide leader.
League circles believe he will likely take at least one year in media, similar to predecessor Bill Cowher, before potentially returning to coaching. Teams inquiring about him have been told he does not plan to coach in 2026.
Tomlin earned roughly $16 million annually as Steelers coach. In media, top game analysts command massive paydays: Tom Brady earns $37.5 million per year from Fox, while Troy Aikman and Tony Romo make $18 million each from ESPN and CBS.
A studio role could start in the $5-8 million range, akin to Cowher's long run on CBS's The NFL Today.