NFL insider: Mike Tomlin could become his generation's John Madden

Hall of Fame head coach John Madden was the voice of the NFL for an entire generation of football fans who listened to him call games from their childhoods up until they became working adults.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin may be preparing to follow in Madden's giant footsteps.

How Mike Tomlin is already similar to John Madden

A report from this week revealed that Tomlin had secured representation to explore broadcasting and other media-related opportunities. During a recent appearance on Pittsburgh sports radio station 93.7 The Fan, NFL insider and NBC Sports television personality Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk discussed what he thinks Tomlin would and/or wouldn't be as an analyst. 

"I personally think he could be the next John Madden if he jumps into the booth, but he could be a guy who's a revelation in the studio as well," Florio said about Tomlin, per Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. "The way he comes up with those sound bites. I think some of his sayings, I don't know this, I don't think he's work-shopping in ahead of time. I don't think he's writing it at night. I think he just comes up with it in the moment. I think he could be great in the right studio setting, and it's gonna come down to I think where he thinks he fits." 

Madden's many sayings and his boisterous "boom" helped him become arguably the most-beloved color commentator in the history of North American professional sports. Meanwhile, Mike's "Tomlinisms" that he shared during his lengthy stint with the Steelers will live on long after he stepped away from that gig this past January. 

Mike Tomlin is going to get paid as a media star

In February 2025, Andrew Marchand of The Athletic noted that Tomlin could become "the next $100M NFL TV analyst." Florio is among those who think networks are ready to show Tomlin the money this offseason. 

"When you hire the guy that used to represent John Madden," Florio added about Tomlin, "there's gonna be a financial component that somebody's gotta be ready to match. And my guess is they'll get all of the NFL broadcast partners at the table, give 'em all the chance to make their best financial offer. And then Mike Tomlin is gonna make a decision with that information in mind."

Expecting Tomlin to be the next Madden on his first day in the booth would be more than just a little unfair. Tomlin is just 54 years old, though, so he theoretically could have plenty of time to emerge as one of his era's top football voices.