‘Unwatchable’ — NFL Fans Call Out Maria Taylor’s ‘Terrible’ Performance Alongside Mike Tomlin During NFL Kickoff

Abhilasha Aditi Mon, September 14, 2026 at 5:07 AM UTC

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NBC Sports host Maria Taylor and Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.

NBC’s revamped “Football Night in America” featured a new dynamic in Week 1, with Maria Taylor hosting alongside former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. The pair handled pregame coverage before the Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots matchup.

That setup, however, quickly took a back seat after Taylor made an on-air correction involving Jaxon Smith-Njigba, prompting some fans to question her style of hosting.

NFL Fans Rip Maria Taylor After NFL Kickoff Incident With Mike Tomlin

Taylor’s interaction with Tomlin came after he repeatedly referred to Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba as “JNS” instead of “JSN.”

Rather than let the mistake continue, Taylor interrupted him and said, “JSN. I’m not gonna let you do it again. I’m not gonna let you do it again. JSN.”

Tomlin and Taylor both laughed off the correction before Tomlin continued his analysis, but the exchange divided viewers on social media.

Some criticism was directed at Taylor herself. One fan wrote, “Maria Taylor is unwatchable though,” replying to a tweet that read, “Tomlin is outstanding on TV.”

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The response reflects the broader criticism Taylor has faced for her direct approach during live segments, which carried over into the discussion of how she handled Tomlin.

Another viewer wrote, “Maria Taylor tries so hard to sound smart.” The comment came as fans continued debating whether her correction felt natural or unnecessarily forceful.

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The discussion also extended to NBC’s studio lineup for “Football Night in America.” One fan questioned the network’s decision, writing, “Sunday Night Football add Mike Tomlin, dump Tony Dungy retain Maria Taylor [expletive]?”

Taylor’s role as host also drew criticism from viewers who questioned whether her approach was suited to the role.

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One fan wrote, “Maria Taylor is supposed to be an expert on all sports, is that it? Reciting what sports writers hand her, no doubt–an act. Not the deep love of sports that is evident in the words and deeds of a Madden, shall we say.”

While Tomlin’s first broadcast included some early mistakes, his composure helped earn praise.

This contrast made Taylor’s interaction with him another area of debate, with one X user writing, “Maria Taylor just loves hearing herself talk and interrupts Tomlin. She has a bad memory, ask Stephen A Smith”

The criticism became more specific when another fan questioned how Taylor handled the conversation: “Maria Taylor doesn’t even listen to what Coach Tomlin is saying. She just stands there and waits for her rebuttals. It’s terrible on her part.”

Tomlin, meanwhile, drew praise from media critics for his natural presence, football knowledge, and ability to break down the game from a coach’s perspective.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.

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Source: “AOL Sports”