A unique broadcast to start the 2026 NFL season features a Super Bowl rematch on a Wednesday. The New England Patriots are trying to spoil the Seattle Seahawks’ celebration at Lumen Field.
But before the game even began, the broadcast was drawing some ire, as former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin made a major blunder in his season debut for NBC Sports, even getting called out by his host, Maria Taylor.
Fans Criticize Rough Beginning for Mike Tomlin
After nearly two decades as the Steelers’ head coach, Tomlin moved on from the role this offseason. The team chose to move forward with Mike McCarthy, reuniting him with Aaron Rodgers, but the former Super Bowl winner found a new role as a studio analyst.
Signing with NBC Sports for their “Football Night in America” show, the game marked his first stint in the role for the season. Unfortunately, it wasn’t smooth sailing for the veteran head coach, as he continually made mistakes with Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s name.
The superstar wide receiver, who goes by JSN for his initials, was repeatedly called “JNS” instead. As a result, Taylor had to step in and remind him about the error, as fans quickly took note of his blunder.
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One fan joked, “Mike Tomlin keeps calling JSN Jaxson Njigba Smith, he’s in mid-season form.”
Mike Tomlin keeps calling JSN Jaxson Njigba Smith, he’s in mid season form
— Russ’ TD ⚡ (@RussFcb) September 9, 2026
However, others took offense to Tomlin making a mistake with a player as spectacular as Njigba.
One fan had an aggressive rebuttal, exclaiming, “Tomlin, you [expletive]!!! It’s JSN, not JNS. Put some respect on it!!!!!!!!”
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Others, too, took quick note of the continuing theme for Njigba’s career: “First, Druski mispronounced JSN’s name at the NFL award ceremony. Then the NFL gives him his OPOY trophy, but it says Defensive Player of the Year. Now Mike Tomlin is on pregame repeatedly calling him ‘JNS’ vs. JSN. Bro CANNOT catch a break.”
First Druski mispronounced JSN’s name at the NFL award ceremony
Then the NFL gives him his OPOY trophy but it says Defensive Player of the Year
Now Mike Tomlin is on pregame repeatedly calling him ‘JNS’ vs. JSN
Bro CANNOT catch a break💀
— The Caveman (@tthecaveman) September 9, 2026
Rather than seeing it as a problem with his broadcasting, though, some used it as an excuse to poke holes in Tomlin’s time as a head coach. As one fan commented, “Tomlin doesn’t know JSN, says JNS. No wonder we couldn’t win a playoff game.”
Sleeper NFL had a hilarious joke at his expense, remarking, “Mike Tomlin spending too much time in Minecraft, bro. It’s JSN, not JNS.”
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This came out after he admitted to spending nearly 12 years building the same city in the popular video game.
Mike Tomlin spending too much time in Minecraft bro
It’s JSN not JNS 😭
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) September 9, 2026
One account clipped the moment when Taylor finally corrected him, even as another recounted a rough first time in the booth for Tomlin: “Mike Tomlin may be going to the Hall of Fame, but he’s off to a rocky start on the desk. He called Sam Darnold Donald 2-3 times, and Maria Taylor called him out for referring to JSN as NSJ a few times. He looked displeased.”
Maria Taylor correcting Mike Tomlin after repeatedly calling JSN, JNS. 🤣 #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/LiqxvXlbF2
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) September 9, 2026
It remains to be seen if things improve for Tomlin in the coming weeks.
For his first time as a studio analyst during a game, there were some obvious positives for him as well. But it was far from a perfect evening for the former head coach.
