Mike Tomlin stepped down as Pittsburgh Steelers head coach following the team’s loss to the Houston Texans in the AFC wild-card round last season. Rather than jump straight into another head coaching job, Tomlin decided to try his hand at sports broadcasting.

The move surprised many, especially those who believe it’s only a matter of time before Tomlin returns to the sideline. But six weeks into the season, fans seem to be enjoying his new role. The reaction to his analysis of Sunday’s game between the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals made that clear.

Fans Make Their Feelings Clear on Mike Tomlin’s SNF Role

Tomlin earned plenty of praise online for his work on NBC’s Sunday coverage, including his breakdown of the Rams’ 18-16 loss to the Cardinals during Week 6’s “Football Night in America.”

The former Steelers coach didn’t hold back, poking fun at the Rams’ preseason hype by saying they had won the “August Lombardi” after their latest loss dropped them to 2-4.

“You gotta show up each and every week, man. It has been less than fluid for the LA Rams thus far this year,” Tomlin added.

He also entertained the panel by joking that he and Todd Monken still haven’t become friends after trading barbs during the opening weeks of the 2026 NFL season.

Many fans praised Tomlin’s easygoing delivery and calm demeanor as an analyst.

“I cannot get over how good Mike Tomlin is on television. He is awesome, man. Kind of reminds me when (Nick) Saban started on Gameday, and I was just dumbfounded at how much of a natural he was,” one fan wrote.

“Starting to like Mike Tomlin on Sunday Night Football. He was like a deer in front of the headlights for the first couple of weeks. He’s now starting to feel his role. He’s smart and makes good points,” another added.

“I love listening to Mike Tomlin. He is not afraid to share his opinions,” Pro Football Talk writer Charean Williams said.

“I would have never guessed it, but I love Mike Tomlin as a studio analyst,” one X user wrote.

“Can Mike Tomlin cover all NFL games? I’m obsessed with his calm demeanor,” another fan added.

Following Tomlin’s departure from the Steelers, NFL insider Jay Glazer reported that a return to coaching might not be in the cards. NBC announced Tomlin’s hiring in April, and he made his “Football Night in America” debut during the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in August.

Tomlin earned plenty of praise for his first appearance, and the positive reaction has continued as he settles into his new role. Still, not everyone is sold on Tomlin as a broadcaster.

“Mike Tomlin is fine on TV, but you can tell NBC is trying to make him a superstar. I don’t think that’s in him,” a fan argued.

Tomlin’s transition from coaching to television bears similarities to the path taken by another former Steelers head coach, Bill Cowher.

Cowher resigned from Pittsburgh in 2007 and joined CBS’s “The NFL Today” the following month. Rather than returning to coaching, he established himself as a prominent television analyst and has remained with the network for nearly two decades.