Bill Cowher, Steelers' Cameron Heyward disagree on whether Mike Tomlin will go from NBC back to coaching

Bill Cowher has appeared as an analyst on CBS Sports' "The NFL Today" program since 2007, so he understands a little bit about how fellow former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin must be feeling as Tomlin prepares to serve as an analyst for NBC's "Football Night in America" show this coming season. 

Cowher never returned to the sidelines once he entered broadcasting. During a Thursday appearance on "The Dan Patrick Show," Cowher addressed whether or not he thinks Tomlin will follow in his footsteps. 

Bill Cowher makes big Mike Tomlin prediction about return to coaching

"I think a lot of [coaches] that have left have come back," Cowher explained, per Madison Williams of Sports Illustrated. "I did not go back." 

Cowher doesn't believe Tomlin is completely done with coaching. 

"I think he loves the sideline," Cowher said about Tomlin. "I think he loves the competition. I think he loves that arena. He’s an arena guy."

For what it's worth, multiple individuals who are close with Tomlin made it known before it was confirmed that he would be joining NBC that they are convinced the 54-year-old "wants to be done" coaching at a high level. During a Thursday appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show," longtime Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward suggested that Tomlin's friends are correct. 

Why Mike Tomlin may stick with broadcasting

"I think he stays in media," Heyward said about Tomlin, per Jeremy Pike of Steelers Depot. "I think the really cool thing that could be really special, and I told him this, the Olympics are coming to the U.S. His daughter could be in the trials, and then he could be calling that. And that could cement it, and be like one of those defining moments, where it's like father to daughter, watching her perform at the highest level. And then I don't think you get him to come back after that."

Heyward was referring to how Tomlin's daughter, Harley, is part of the University of Georgia gymnastics team. Regardless of her future in that sport, Tomlin may decide that he'd rather collect paychecks from NBC and have extra time to spend with his family than be tasked with guiding a franchise to a Super Bowl championship at any point down the road.