Mike Tomlin Says Bills’ Josh Allen Is the Quarterback He’d Most Want to Coach

Mike Tomlin’s long tenure on the Pittsburgh sideline is behind him, but the former Steelers head coach remains a prominent voice in the NFL. He has moved into broadcasting, joining NBC’s Football Night in America as an analyst, and the shift has given the 54-year-old a broader view of players across the league rather than the ones he prepared for each week.

That vantage point prompted an interesting answer during a recent appearance on Pro Football Focus’ NFL Show. Asked which current quarterback he would want to coach, Tomlin didn’t pause long before naming Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen.

“It’d be Josh for me,” Tomlin said, explaining that the Bills quarterback seems to elevate his play in the biggest moments. He praised Allen’s ability to beat defenses both through the air and as a runner, saying the 30-year-old doesn’t just want those moments — he appears to need them. Tomlin added that he has significant respect for Allen and called him “the dude” at the position.

Allen’s résumé backs up the endorsement. The four-time Pro Bowler is a recent league MVP and has been among the NFL’s most productive quarterbacks, pairing strong passing numbers with consistent production as a rusher. Last season he threw for 3,668 yards and 25 touchdowns against 10 interceptions while continuing to add value on the ground.

Tomlin’s embrace of a media role comes as no surprise to those who followed his post-Pittsburgh transition. After nearly two decades running the Steelers, he now spends his Sundays analyzing teams league-wide — a notable change of pace from the division-heavy focus of an AFC North coach. Whether the coaching itch remains is a frequent question among fans, and Tomlin himself has struck a balance between enjoying his broadcast work and keeping options open.

For NBC, the commentary adds star power to its Sunday night coverage. The network’s parent company, Comcast (CMCSA), which operates NBC Sports among its media holdings, saw shares trade at $26.49 in recent action, down roughly 0.38% from the prior close of $26.59, with a market capitalization of about $94.38 billion.

Allen, meanwhile, continues to anchor a Buffalo offense that remains among the league’s most dynamic, and praise from a coach with Tomlin’s credentials only adds to the narrative around one of the game’s premier playmakers.

What to watch

• Buffalo’s upcoming games for continued evidence of Allen’s late-game production.
• Tomlin’s future broadcast assignments on NBC’s Sunday night coverage.
• Any comments from Tomlin regarding a potential return to coaching.

Source: original release