Jerome Bettis comments on Steelers hiring Mike McCarthy
The Pittsburgh Steelers hired head coach Mike McCarthy after releasing Mike Tomlin. Jerome Bettis breaks that decision.
- Tomlin spoke of the “solitude of leadership” and acknowledged Pittsburgh’s playoff failure.
- He also expressed his excitement to maintain his connection to the game in his new role.
- In his first analytical assignment with NBC, Tomlin also mentioned Pittsburgh’s last QB.
Days after news broke that Mike Tomlin would be embarking on a long-awaited career in sports media, the former Pittsburgh Steelers coach spoke in an interview on NBC over the weekend about joining the Football Night in America team and stepping away from the sidelines after 19 seasons (below .500) in the Steel City.
Tomlin, who did not hold a press conference after deciding to leave the Steelers, said of leaving the coaching job, “There’s loneliness in leadership.”
“Personally, I thought it was a good time, and I mean where I am in my life. And, to be honest, I thought it was a good time for the organization as well. We haven’t had a lot of success in the playoffs in recent years.”
Tomlin won Super Bowl XLIII to cap his second season in Pittsburgh and led the Steelers back to the Super Bowl two years later, but they haven’t won in the playoffs since the 2016 playoffs. Tomlin led his team to the postseason in 13 of his 19 seasons.
Tomlin said his move was not an “overnight decision,” but he seems eager for a new job. That job will also include a 2026 outing on “FNIA” ahead of NBC’s ever-popular “Sunday Night Football” lineup.
Tomlin, 54, said of his new role: “I thought it was a great way to stay connected to the game and the great people involved in it, the players, coaches and executives. I’m excited to do that on Sunday nights and travel to different venues and get a feel for the environment.”
“I thought it would be great to share insights between football lovers. I love talking about football, so that’s just an exciting element for me. That said, I have to admit there’s some anxiety in stepping into new territory, but that’s good anxiety. It’s good to be uncomfortable and the growth that comes with it. So I’m excited about it.”
NBC seems equally excited about the NFL’s biggest free addition in years, with Tomlin replacing NFL guru Tony Dungy as part of the pregame lineup for FNIA, the most-watched studio show in sports for the past 20 years.
“When Mike Tomlin speaks, people listen. He is one of the most iconic and respected coaches and voices in the NFL,” NBC Sports executive producer and director of production Sam Flood said in a statement announcing Tomlin’s hiring.
“His perspective and passion for the game will add a genuine new voice to NFL Sundays.”
And while Tomlin didn’t display any Tomlin-isms, he did include things like, “Two dogs, one bone,” “I want volunteers, not hostages,” “I’m fundamentally opposed to comfort,” and “I expect routine catches to become the norm.” ”, but during his conversation with Taylor, four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers was asked who would play quarterback for the Steelers in 2026, and he was quick to analyze. Pittsburgh is primarily focused on Tomlin’s play, but has not yet made a formal decision on whether he will play his 22nd NFL season in 2025.
“If someone put a gun to my head, I’d say it’s an AR,” Tomlin said. “Aaron, what I think from being around him for the 12 months I’ve been around him is that he has a love for the game of football, and not just the game, but the process, the informal moments, the development of young players, the interaction with his teammates. I think he depends on that, but there’s only one way to cultivate that. And definitely, he’s still capable and in really good shape. And I think at the end of the day, he’s going to play football.” ”
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