PTI Podcast Summary

Episode: What’s Next for the Steelers After Mike Tomlin Steps Down?
Date: January 13, 2026
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser, Michael Wilbon
Guest: Jeff Saturday

Episode Overview

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon tackle the headline news of Mike Tomlin stepping down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. They discuss his legacy, speculate on his future, and explore what's next for the Steelers. The episode also touches on NFL playoff reactions, the questionable future of veteran quarterbacks, NBA officiating controversies, and insights from guest analyst Jeff Saturday.

Main Topics and Key Points

1. Mike Tomlin Steps Down as Steelers Head Coach

(Segment begins: 00:55)

• Legacy of Tomlin:
  Tomlin leaves after 19 seasons, having never recorded a losing season but losing seven straight playoff games and not winning in the postseason for nine years.
• The Rare Coaching Change:
  Wilbon notes the rarity of Steelers head coaching changes: “[They] will do what they haven’t had to do very often in their history, which is go and select a coach…Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, you know, it doesn’t happen very often.” (01:39, Mike Wilbon)
• The TV vs. Coaching Debate:
  Wilbon advocates for Tomlin in broadcasting:

  “Mike Tomlin can reset television as a form of entertainment, football as a form of entertainment on television in a way that no one has since John Madden.” (02:05, Mike Wilbon)

• Speculation on Coaching Future:
  Tony interjects that Tomlin’s age (53) makes a return to coaching likely, but acknowledges uncertainty:

  “I don’t know if he wants to coach again... TV is fine to mention. I don’t know if he wants to do television. Nobody really knows what he wants to do.” (03:17, Tony Kornheiser)

• Was He Pushed or Did He Jump?:
  Tony believes the decision was mutual and respectful with Steelers ownership.
• Hall of Fame Credentials:

  “He’s a great coach. I’m confident he’s a Hall of Fame coach. But…it is undeniably true that the playoffs have been terrible for him lately.” (04:44, Tony Kornheiser)

• Stress of Modern NFL:
  Wilbon points out, “19 years of that kind of stress in today’s NFL...That’s a long time.” (04:51, Mike Wilbon)
  The two discuss the rarity of long coaching tenures, referencing Halas, Madden, Belichick, and Reid.

2. Steelers’ Playoff Loss to the Texans & Aaron Rodgers’ Future

(Segment begins: 05:43)

• Houston’s Defensive Dominance:
  The Texans beat the Steelers 30-6 despite three turnovers.

  “Houston had three turnovers, an interception and two fumbles by C.J. Stroud, and still the Steelers couldn’t score a touchdown.” (05:44, Mike Wilbon)

• Steelers’ Offensive Struggles:
  Tony details the ongoing quarterback issues:

  “They’ve tried Kenny Pickett and…Mason Rudolph…Justin Fields…Russell Wilson and now they’re trying Aaron Rodgers. And Aaron Rodgers last night...threw the ball 33 times for a total of 146 yards. That’s just not enough.” (06:24, Tony Kornheiser)

• Rodgers’ Legacy and Decline:

  “It’s no indictment of Aaron Rodgers. Greatness doesn’t need to be questioned...But...looked like an old Muhammad Ali climbing into the ring against, like, Trevor Burbick...” (07:25, Mike Wilbon)

• Texans’ Defense vs. Offensive Limitations:
  Wilbon praises Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter:

  “They put it on you. And Pittsburgh had no answer for them…” (07:52, Mike Wilbon)

• Playoff Future Thoughts:
  Houston is seen as dangerous on defense, but their offensive ceiling is questioned.

3. NFL Coaching Turnover & Coaching Legacies

(Segment begins: 08:33)

• Tomlin and Harbaugh Out:
  Discussing the monumental shift if both Tomlin and John Harbaugh depart the AFC North:

  “If someone suggested…both Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh would be out at the end of the year...You would have said what?” “I would have said, no way.” (08:33, Tony Kornheiser & Mike Wilbon)

• Coaching Tenure Comparisons:
  Madden, Belichick, Andy Reid discussed as long-tenured but the rarity of Tomlin's run is reinforced.

4. NBA: Joe Mazzulla’s “Illegal Screen” Protest

(Segment begins: 09:07)

• Press Conference Antics:
  Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla repeats “illegal screen” in answer to every question, referencing a missed call:
  Transcript Example:

  Reporter: “Illegal screen.”
  Mazzulla: “Illegal screen.”

• Wilbon’s Disapproval:

  “If Joe Mazzulla doesn't have the stones to go after the officials, go after him in full sentences…This had an agenda. This just irritates me.” (10:09, Mike Wilbon)

• Tony’s Take:

  “After a while, when you say it 10 times, it sounds like you’re doing a Saturday Night Live skit... Everybody’s going to be past this by Friday.” (10:59, Tony Kornheiser)

• NBA Officiating Trends:
  Tony adds players get away with plenty, “the game is played so fast and the players are so athletically gifted that they pretty much just let him play.”
• The NBA Apology:
  The league confirms it missed the illegal screen; Wilbon mocks the idea that it’s the “first illegal screen in the damn history of professional basketball.” (11:54, Mike Wilbon)

5. Interview: Jeff Saturday on Tomlin, the Eagles, and NFL Playoffs

(Segment begins: 14:09)

a) On Tomlin Stepping Down

• Jeff’s Admiration:

  “Mike Tomlin is a Hall of Fame [coach] and I could not respect Coach probably more than I respect him...the way that he’s carried himself...He’s just that kind of guy...I hope he goes back and does it somewhere else.” (14:26, Jeff Saturday)

b) On Eagles Firing OC Kevin Petullo

• What Went Wrong:

  “They never found consistency and they never found their identity...midway through the year, remember, it was all the A.J. Brown, and I needed more touches…They just never found their flow.” (15:51, Jeff Saturday)

• Petullo as Scapegoat:

  “There’s got to be a scapegoat. Petullo takes that rap this year and they’re going to move on...and be back right in the fray of the Super Bowl next year.” (16:30, Jeff Saturday)

c) On the “Tush Push” Play (Jacksonville vs. Buffalo)

• Jeff’s Take:

  “I freaking love it, baby. Pick them up and tote that dude...No one could do it as well as Philly. Now all of a sudden Buffalo does it...that’s physicality at its best. It’s pretty much what football was based on, Mike.” (17:33, Jeff Saturday)

d) Most Impressive Wild Card Winner

• Jeff’s Choice:

  “The Bills going against one of the hottest teams in Jacksonville and going down to Jacksonville and finding a way to win…It was an electric win.” (18:33, Jeff Saturday)

• Josh Allen’s Heroics:

  “Again, everybody talks about Josh Allen’s best opportunity to win a Super Bowl because certain people aren’t in it. His team ain’t as good as they were either. And so he's having to do more with less. And he's doing it.” (19:06, Jeff Saturday)

6. Rapid Fire: News & Sports Reactions

(Segment begins: 21:03 & 23:43)

• Bob Baffert’s Return to Horse Racing
• Anniversary of Dolphins’ Back-to-Back Super Bowls
• Missed NHL Call in Detroit vs. Carolina
• NFL Coordinator Firings & Coaching Interviews
• PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program Excludes Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed:

  “Phil’s 55 years old. DJ hasn’t won much lately, and nobody actually likes Patrick Reed.” (24:26, Tony Kornheiser)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Hair Transplant Joke
  “You fly on Turkish hairlines, I think.” (00:51, Tony Kornheiser)
• Wilbon on Tomlin’s Next Move:
  “He's going to make more than $20 million no matter what he does, without the stress. I don't see him coaching next year.” (02:36, Mike Wilbon)
• Tony on Pittsburgh’s Offensive Issues:
  “...they do not have a quarterback.” (06:18, Tony Kornheiser)
• Wilbon on NFL Coach Burnout:
  “This isn't George Halas's NFL...George Halas, by the way, broke his 40 years of coaching up into four groups of 10 years. He didn’t even try to go 19.” (04:51, Mike Wilbon)
• Joe Mazzulla’s Press Conference Stunt:
  Multiple repetitions of “illegal screen” (09:30 – 09:59)
• Jeff Saturday on Tush Push:
  “Pick them up and tote that dude. Do it. Run over. Dominate the humans in front of you.” (17:33, Jeff Saturday)

Key Timestamps

| Topic | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Mike Tomlin Steps Down & Steelers Legacies | 00:55–05:43 | | Steelers vs. Texans Playoff Recap & Rodgers’ Performance | 05:43–08:33 | | NFL Coaches, Tenure, and Turnover Discussion | 08:33–09:07 | | NBA – Joe Mazzulla’s Press Conference Protest | 09:07–12:01 | | Interview with Jeff Saturday (on Tomlin, Eagles, Tush Push) | 14:09–19:33 | | Happy Time / Rapid Fire Sports News | 21:03–24:39 |

Summary Takeaways

• Mike Tomlin’s exit marks a seismic change for the Steelers and the AFC North.
• Wilbon predicts a TV future for Tomlin; Tony remains unsure, but both agree on his Hall of Fame credentials.
• Steelers offense and quarterback direction are major concerns following their heavy playoff defeat.
• The NFL’s ever-increasing coaching turnover is highlighted, with comparisons to coaching greats.
• NBA officiating and coach protests are lampooned after Joe Mazzulla’s “illegal screen” routine.
• Jeff Saturday is effusive in his praise for Tomlin and bullish on the physical “tush push” play.
• The episode mixes football, basketball, and rapid-fire sports news, maintaining PTI’s brisk, bantering tone throughout.

For full context, listeners should explore the drama and wit that defines Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon’s take on sports’ biggest news and controversies.