Mike Tomlin
Mike Tomlin
Mike Tomlin joined Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show Monday night/Tuesday morning, a sentence I was only hoping to write in association with the Pittsburgh Steelers winning a Super Bowl. Alas, Tomlin’s interview highlighted his new role as NBC Sports analyst for the network’s Football Night in America coverage.
As expected, it was generally a light-hearted interview. Fallon quizzed Tomlin on what some of his “Tomlin-isms” mean while playing some of his most famous phrases. One of his viral moments came without Tomlin saying a word, walking off the podium mid press conference following the team’s 2023 playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills after being asked about his future with the team.
Laughing and mimicking Tomlin walking off stage, to which Tomlin jokingly followed, Fallon asked Tomlin for his thoughts in that moment.
“Because whatever came out of my mouth next was gonna get me fined,” Tomin told Fallon with a smile. “I might get fined less if I walked out.”
ESPN’s Brooke Pryor began to ask Tomlin about his contract status, noting he had one year left on his current deal. Before she could finish the question, Tomlin walked off the podium and ended the press conference.
Mike Tomlin leaving podium when asked about having a year left on his contract #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/HpymjGukze
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) January 16, 2024
Tomlin and the Steelers were minutes removed from another playoff loss, falling to the Buffalo Bills 31-17. A game that was postponed by a day due to a blizzard. The defeat continued Tomlin and the franchise’s string of postseason defeats, a streak that would continue for the rest of tenure with the team. Pittsburgh would go on to lose in the 2024 Wild Card game to the Baltimore Ravens and 2025 Wild Card round to the Houston Texans.
Tomlin resigned after the season to mark Pittsburgh’s first coaching change since Tomlin was hired in 2007. Months later, Tomlin took a job as an analyst with NBC. He made his debut earlier this month offering pregame and halftime coverage of the Hall of Fame Game between the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers. It was generally a solid showing even if Tomlin’s nerves were evident. A feeling he isn’t afraid to admit.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been a novice,” Tomlin said. “I got a little anxiety. I’m nervous. I like that. And that feels good. The performance anxiety. I feel good about it.”
Mike Tomlin to Jimmy Fallon on joining FNIA #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/rLtYoRcrup
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) August 18, 2026
A coach in some capacity since 1995, Tomlin is on the other side of the fence. Analyzing instead of coaching. Perhaps he’ll return to the sideline in 2027 or beyond, but for this year, he’ll enjoy the role of commentator that allows him moments he’s never had before. Like joining The Tonight Show.