Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay shared emotional praise for Mike Tomlin, who recently stepped down as Pittsburgh Steelers head coach. Speaking on Kay Adams' Up & Adams on Monday, McVay called Tomlin a 'stud' and said the NFL misses him. The two coaches bonded over shared experiences and committee work.
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay opened up about his admiration for Mike Tomlin during an interview on Kay Adams' Up & Adams on Monday. McVay highlighted their time together on the NFL competition committee, where they helped shape rule changes for safety and improvement. 'Part of the reasons that I was excited when I was asked to be on the competition committee was to get to know Mike better,' McVay said. Tomlin has been replaced on the committee by Sean Payton and Mike Vrabel. McVay and Tomlin share similar paths as young head coaches who rose quickly. Both played as undersized college wide receivers—Tomlin at William & Mary and McVay at Miami (Ohio)—before becoming NFL head men in their early 30s. Tomlin won a Super Bowl in his second season with Pittsburgh, while McVay reached one that year and claimed his in 2021, edging Tomlin as the youngest to lift the Lombardi Trophy. Their win percentages stand close: Tomlin at .628 and McVay at .617. 'Mike Tomlin is one of one, and he’s a stud,' McVay said. 'We miss him. Mike was the one that really welcomed a lot of us. I can remember the way he just made me feel so welcomed. He’s got this great feel for the one-liners. Love Mike T. He’s the man.' McVay has long respected Tomlin, naming him a mentor in 2022 and defending him against playoff criticism in 2025. McVay speculated that Tomlin is now enjoying family life and eyeing television work. 'He’s enjoying life, being a dad, being able to have fun. We’ll probably see him doing what you’re doing next year,' he told Adams. Tomlin recently hired a sports agency to pursue broadcasting opportunities, likely as a studio analyst.