NBC may be preparing for a major shake-up in its Sunday Night Football booth, with Fox Sports analyst Greg Olsen emerging as a potential replacement for longtime commentator Cris Collinsworth.
Collinsworth, who has served as NBC’s lead NFL analyst since 2009, is reportedly nearing the end of his contract.
According to Sports Illustrated, the former wide receiver has 1-2 years left on his deal. SI’s report suggested that Olsen, a rising star in the broadcast world, could be a frontrunner to take over once Collinsworth’s tenure ends.
“Greg Olsen getting bumped for Tom Brady is tough because Olsen was so good and earned the No. 1 analyst role. And Olsen has made it clear that he wants to be a No. 1 analyst somewhere,” Jimmy Traina noted in a recent episode of his SI Media podcast. “He reiterated this point with me recently.”
Collinsworth, a staple at NBC since 2006, first teamed up with legendary play-by-play announcer Al Michaels before being joined by Mike Tirico in 2021.
While Collinsworth’s outspoken and enthusiastic style has made him a polarizing figure, there’s been no clear indication that NBC plans to part ways with the veteran analyst just yet.
However, NBC’s past willingness to make bold moves – such as replacing Michaels with Tirico – keeps the door open for change.
If Collinsworth does leave, other networks would likely be eager to sign the former NFL star. Meanwhile, Olsen’s credentials make him a strong contender for the high-profile role.
After playing tight end in the NFL, Olsen quickly transitioned into broadcasting, serving as a top analyst for Fox alongside Kevin Burkhardt and Erin Andrews from 2021 to 2023.
However, his spot was reassigned for 2024, with Olsen now part of Fox’s No. 2 team alongside Joe Davis. The move came after Fox signed Tom Brady to a 10-year, $375 million deal, positioning him as the network’s top NFL analyst starting this season.
Olsen’s demotion has been met with disappointment from fans and critics, who praised his performance.
Despite Brady’s legendary status, his initial broadcast appearances have received mixed reviews, while Olsen continues to garner acclaim for his insightful analysis.
Fox will feature Brady and Burkhardt during the network’s broadcast of this season’s Super Bowl, but Olsen remains determined to prove his value.
(Notably, Erin Andrews is reportedly on the final year of her deal at Fox.)
In a recent interview with The Athletic, Olsen shared his thoughts on his relationship with Brady and his outlook on the situation.
“My success is not contingent upon Tom,” Olsen said. “I want him to do well. I want him to succeed. I want him to feel I’m a good teammate. It’s no different than if he came into the locker room when I was a player and we happened to play the same position.
“Tom being really good doesn’t make me less good, and Tom being bad doesn’t make me better. Fox has two top teams, and that’s how I view it.”
Olsen also stressed his commitment to excellence, regardless of which broadcast team he’s on.
“I’ve talked to [on-air partner] Joe [Davis] about this: I want people to think that Joe and I are the best crew on television. It doesn’t matter that we’re the ‘B’ crew.”
What are your thoughts on the possibility of Olsen replacing Collinsworth on Sunday Night Football?
What are your early impressions of Brady in the booth? … Did Fox make a mistake???