Mike Tomlin leaves the field for the last time as the Steelers’ head coach after losing to the Texans in the wild card round of the NFL playoffs on Jan. 12 at Acrisure Stadium. (Chaz Palla | TribLive)
Thursday’s “First Call” looks at Mike Tomlin’s view of a possible return to coaching. Injury news for the New England Patriots as they prepare to host the Pittsburgh Steelers next week. The Pirates had a good night on the field and in the standings.
Plus, Robert Morris University is starting to get some love on the gridiron.
Sounds familiar
A few years ago, when I asked Mike Tomlin about some college football teams that may be interested in him, he responded by saying, “Never say never, but never.”
Now he’s softening that response when talking about the idea of someday coming back to the NFL as a coach.
Tomlin resigned as head coach of the Steelers in January after 19 years on the job. Now a pregame television analyst, Tomlin was asked by NBC teammate Cris Collinsworth if there was any chance of him going back to the NFL.
Based on his response, it sounds like Tomlin may have some teams he doesn’t want to coach. But he’s not refusing a comeback to the league overall.
"Never say never." - Mike Tomlin when asked about returning to coaching by @CollinsworthPFF pic.twitter.com/JIV7SfY5HR
— PFF (@PFF) September 8, 2026
“It’s certainly not a 32-team league for me,” Tomlin said. “I’ve lived too much for that. But I’ve also learned to never say never. And so, will I coach again? I don’t know. I love to coach. I love all the challenges of the profession. I love to be part of an individual growth and development of young people individually. I love to develop a collective. I love the measurement of the seven-day cycle. I love all that.”
However, Tomlin seems content for now.
“I also have enjoyed the last six months and life on the other side that I had no idea about,” Tomlin said.
The New York Jets have already been rumored to be interested in hiring Tomlin next year.
Damaging blow
Just one game into his tenure as a New England Patriot and AJ Brown has suffered an injury.
Keep in mind, the Patriots host the Steelers in Week 2.
The three-time Pro Bowler was hurt in the third quarter Wednesday when Nehemiah Pritchett’s knee appeared to pin Brown’s ankle to the turf while both were diving for a Drake Maye pass.
This might be the worst season opener of all time
Sam Darnold hurt (and probably out for a LONG time)
- JSN ????
AJ Brown significant ankle injury after having 34 yards and being missed on a 35 yard TD
& Rhamondre Stevenson is making everyones eyes bleed…
— Max (@FantasyFBallAZ) September 10, 2026
ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss said the former Eagle left in a walking boot after the game. Head Coach Mike Vrabel provided no update.
Prior to the injury, Brown had three catches for 24 yards. The Patriots lost the Super Bowl rematch to the Seattle Seahawks 13-10 in this year’s NFL opener. Seattle had to play most of the game without Sam Darnold, who was also injured.
However, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network says the Seahawks quarterback probably avoided major injury.
More sports
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• Despite ‘language barrier,’ Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers excited to have Mike McCarthy back as play-caller
• WPIAL powers Pine-Richland, Central Catholic collide in battle of No. 1 teams
Chipping away
Not only did the Pirates win a game against the American League Central Division-leading Chicago White Sox on Wednesday (4-2), but they also clinched the series by winning a second game before Thursday’s Game 3 finale.
It’s the fifth straight series win for the Bucs, who are back up to .500 at 73-73. They also picked up ground in the wild card standings because the Arizona Diamondbacks (78-69) lost to Kansas City 5-2.
Bobby Witt Jr. homered and collected three RBIs on the day for the Royals.
A Bobby Witt Jr. moonshot grabs the lead back! pic.twitter.com/ZkMDoQD7PD
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) September 10, 2026
However, San Diego (78-68) clobbered Washington 9-2 for a fourth consecutive win.
So that means the Pirates only gained a half-game in the standings as the Padres slipped into the final playoff slot by a half-game in front of Arizona.
Pittsburgh is now 5 games behind San Diego, and 4½ behind the DBacks. They are also 1½ games ahead of St. Louis and Miami (both 72-75). The Cardinals and Marlins both lost Wednesday.
The Pirates try for a sweep of Chicago on Thursday night. Jared Jones (3-6, 4.46 ERA) is scheduled to start. Rookie Hagen Smith will pitch for the White Sox. This will be his first start of the year. In 10 bullpen appearances, he is 3-1 with a 0.56 ERA.
Catching eyes
The Robert Morris football team is receiving recognition for its strong start to 2026.
The Colonials have won the first two games of the season. RMU beat conference foe Wagner 28-7 on the road to open the season. Then Bernard Clark’s team toppled West Virginia State 29-9 at home on Saturday.
That’s a BOBBY MO WIN ????#BobbyMo pic.twitter.com/z9vPigF5ch
— RMU Football (@RMU_Football) September 6, 2026
As a result, RMU got 13 votes in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll. The school is the only NEC team to receive votes this week.
The Colonials have not been ranked inside the Top 25 since the 2010 season. Robert Morris plays up against an FBS squad this week. Clark and company are heading to Akron to play the Zips (and their fan offensive coordinator) at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.