Big changes are coming to NBC's Sunday Night Football for the 2026 season, and NFL fans are absolutely loving it. The network is overhauling its pregame show in a major way, and the response from the football world has been overwhelmingly positive.
What's Changing?
The core broadcast team of Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth will remain intact, but everything surrounding them is getting a fresh coat of paint. Tony Dungy and Chris Simms are out, and Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is stepping in. But that's not all—the pregame show is hitting the road for every single game of the season, taking a page out of College GameDay's playbook.
Tomlin, who will balance his coaching duties with this new role, explained his decision in a statement: “I just thought it would be a great way to stay connected to the game and the awesome people in it. Players, coaches, executives. Excited about doing that on Sunday night, and traveling to different venues, and getting that feel for the environment. And lastly, I just thought it would be awesome to share insight with fellow football lovers. I love to talk football.”
Fans React: 'Progress' and 'Wonderful News'
Social media erupted with praise for NBC's bold moves. Many fans had grown tired of the previous lineup and were eager for a shake-up. One fan wrote, “This is such wonderful news. Hopefully he never finds another job with the NFL,” referring to Chris Simms. Another added, “Tomlin in Simms out !! Can actually watch this show next year.”
Not everyone was completely satisfied, though. Some fans felt the network still had work to do. “This show had stunk from day one. Crazy they have shuffled the deck so many times and still can’t figure it out,” one commenter noted. Others saw the addition of Tomlin as a step in the right direction: “Progress but they really needed to blow up FNA and start over, with Tomlin as the first hire.”
Host Maria Taylor also received praise for her efforts. “That whole team needed a face lift. Maria was fighting for her life trying carry them,” a fan shared.
A New Era for Sunday Nights
By taking the pregame show on the road, NBC is injecting fresh energy into its coverage. The move mirrors the success of ESPN's College GameDay, which travels to different campuses each week. It's a strategy that could bring unique perspectives from various stadiums and create a more immersive experience for viewers.
For more on the latest NFL updates, check out our coverage on NBC's pregame shake-up and the departure of Chris Simms. If you're interested in other sports news, don't miss the warning shot for college football's future or the latest on Alex Cora's firing.
What do you think of NBC's official changes for 2026? Are you excited to see Mike Tomlin on your screen every Sunday night? Let us know in the comments below.
