What’s Next for Mike Tomlin? TV Could Be Calling-And It Might Just Fit
Mike Tomlin might not be pacing an NFL sideline next season, and while that’s a strange image to picture, it’s not necessarily a bad one. After 17 seasons as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers-each one without a losing record-Tomlin has earned the right to take a breath. And if that breath happens to be taken in a television studio instead of a locker room, there are already some familiar faces ready to welcome him.
Former NFL wide receiver and current CBS analyst Nate Burleson is one of them. Speaking candidly about Tomlin’s next chapter, Burleson didn’t hold back in his admiration.
“Shout out to Mike Tomlin, absolute legend,” he said. “If you are taking time off, come on over to CBS.
I’ve got a seat for you on The NFL Today.”
It’s not hard to see why Burleson-and many others-think Tomlin would thrive on camera. His presence is undeniable.
He’s sharp, charismatic, and delivers soundbites with the kind of cadence that makes you stop and listen. Over the years, his postgame pressers have become must-watch moments, filled with what fans affectionately call “Tomlinisms”-those no-nonsense, often poetic nuggets of football wisdom that somehow apply to both third-down defense and life itself.
Burleson’s pitch wasn’t just about Tomlin’s media chops, though. He also pointed to the kind of roster Tomlin led in Pittsburgh-veteran-heavy, filled with big personalities and future Hall of Famers.
That’s a tough room to manage, and Tomlin did it with consistency and control. Burleson floated the idea that if Tomlin returns to coaching, it should be in a situation where he can mold a younger team-one with fresh legs and open ears.
“I would love for Mike Tomlin to go somewhere with a young crop of talent and see what he does with a fresh team,” he said.
But if the next step is TV, Tomlin wouldn’t be walking into unfamiliar territory. The NFL Today already features another Steelers legend in Bill Cowher, the man Tomlin succeeded in Pittsburgh.
Add in Matt Ryan and Burleson himself, and you’ve got a dynamic mix of perspectives. With James Brown anchoring, the show has long been one of the most respected voices in pregame coverage.
Tomlin could add a new edge-one that blends credibility, insight, and undeniable personality.
Burleson put it simply: “Mike Tomlin got the energy. Looks like Omar Epps, and he has the ‘Tomlinisms.’
… Tomlin would be great on TV. Yeah, he’s got the energy, got the swagger, he looks good, articulate and all of that.
Plus, he has the resume.”
That resume speaks volumes-Super Bowl champion, consistent playoff contender, and one of the most respected leaders in the league. Tomlin has spent nearly two decades commanding locker rooms and navigating the pressure cooker that is Pittsburgh football. He’s done it with integrity, resilience, and a deep understanding of the game.
And it’s not just Burleson who sees the potential. ESPN’s Michael Wilbon recently made a bold comparison, suggesting Tomlin could bring a kind of transformative presence to football broadcasting-something we haven’t seen since John Madden. “Mike Tomlin can reset television as a form of entertainment, football as a form of entertainment on television in a way that no one has since John Madden,” Wilbon said.
That’s high praise-and it’s not unfounded. Tomlin has always had the rare ability to connect.
Whether it’s with his players, the media, or fans watching at home, he communicates with clarity and conviction. He doesn’t just talk football-he makes you feel it.
So, whether he’s breaking down coverages on a telestrator or breaking the huddle in a new locker room someday, one thing’s clear: Mike Tomlin isn’t done impacting the game. He’s just choosing his next move-and wherever he lands, people will be paying attention.