Mike Tomlin ought to be calling video games, not working in a studio

Mike Tomlin apparently intends to make a detour to tv, a minimum of for 2026. If that’s the place he lands, right here’s hoping that the vacation spot is a stadium, not a studio.

Conventional knowledge is that Tomlin will find yourself with Fox. And whereas it might be entertainingly awkward (or awkwardly entertaining) to see Tomlin and Terry Bradshaw share a desk, it makes way more sense to make the most of Tomlin’s skills as an analyst at video games.

He has compiled over time a formidable array of sound bites and one-liners, a few of which he seemingly comes up with on the fly. He speaks instantly, with authority and conviction. His ardour for the sport oozes from every little thing he says and does.

Tomlin would seemingly be good for the quick slivers of time between performs, when some extent must be made rapidly and clearly, ideally with out jargon.

Really, what are the analysts who insist on utilizing “real football” phrases attempting to show? We get it. You know the sport. If you actually knew the sport, you’d be capable of clarify it to individuals who aren’t coaches or gamers with out making them really feel alienated by the obvious or precise complexities. Like John Madden did.

Tomlin could possibly be a revelation as a recreation analyst. Like Madden. Like early Tony Romo (who, frankly, wasn’t a lot totally different than present Tony Romo, regardless of the prevailing present angle towards him).

Tomlin could possibly be so good as a recreation analyst that he might not need to return to teaching. Especially as soon as he realizes that it may pay fairly nicely, and that there isn’t any scoreboard.

Here’s the issue. The finest analyst seats are occupied. And whereas it’s the prerogative of any community to write down the examine for a buyout and pivot to Tomlin, most networks received’t need to pay two No. 1 analysts on the identical time.

Still, one of many networks might resolve it’s price it. Probably not Fox, given the long-term dedication made to Tom Brady. The most blatant candidate can be, frankly, Prime Video. Kirk Herbstreit is a school soccer analyst, whose commentary throughout professional video games routinely reminds those that observe the NFL every day that, frankly, he doesn’t.

Then there’s the fact that the Sunday morning/early afternoon pregame reveals aren’t almost as worthwhile and related as they had been within the days earlier than anybody may get details about any recreation, at any time. The NFL Today was appointment viewing within the Nineteen Seventies as a result of there was no different avenue for getting on top of things concerning the video games to return. Now, soccer followers have every little thing they want, lengthy earlier than the solar rises on Sunday morning.

Anyone who loves watching soccer on TV would profit from having Tomlin on the decision of the most important and finest video games. But, alas, I don’t make these selections. And that’s one thing for which the shareholders of each company that owns and operates a TV community ought to be very grateful.