Bill Simmons wants NBC Sports to put Mike Tomlin in the broadcast booth. The Ringer founder believes the network should test him during an NFL game this season.
What We Know: Tomlin joined NBC’s Football Night in America this season. He left the Pittsburgh Steelers in January after 19 seasons as head coach. Now, he works alongside Maria Taylor, Jason Garrett and Devin McCourty every week. On his podcast, Simmons praised the work so far that Tomlin has provided in the role he was hired for. However, he feels Tomlin should attempt work in the broadcast booth with Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth just to see what he could provide additionally.
What They Said: Bill Simmons (via The Bill Simmons Podcast): “If you’re NBC, you’ve got to see what he’s [Mike Tomlin] like doing a game. I think [Cris] Collinsworth is as good as he’s ever been. I’m not trying to push Collinsworth out. I think you have to just test drive it, or you have to put him in the booth with those guys. Which I think would be awesome. Collinsworth is a good enough broadcaster that if you put Tomlin in there, he’d be able to play off and [Mike] Tirico would know how to handle it. But I think you have to see it at some point this season.”
What Remains Unclear: It is unclear whether NBC will act on Simmons’ idea. Likewise, Tomlin’s interest in calling games remains unknown. Meanwhile, Tomlin’s long-term TV future is still an open question with his success for nearly two decades in Pittsburgh potentially being in demand elsewhere.
What It Means: For now, Collinsworth remains Tirico’s partner on Sunday Night Football. Still, Simmons frames his idea as a test drive, not a replacement. Moreover, Tomlin has earned strong reviews for his studio work and analysis to this point. Ultimately, one game in the booth could shape NBC’s future plans. Then again, with Tomlin’s NFL coaching resume, it will be fascinating to see if he could also be making a return to the sidelines.
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