As the 2026 NFL season nears, the broadcast landscape is buzzing with established stars and emerging talents. While Tom Brady solidifies his presence in the FOX booth, new analysts like JJ Watt and Luke Kuechly are set to make significant impacts.
Tom Brady, in his third year of a 10-year, $375 million contract with FOX, is demonstrating growth in his broadcasting career. After a shaky start, Brady has shown marked improvement, developing a stronger relationship with play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt. His extensive knowledge as a seven-time Super Bowl champion is becoming more evident as he weaves Xs and Os insights into his commentary, moving beyond initial reliance on clichés. While not universally popular, Brady's competitive drive is winning over viewers, mirroring his playing career success.
Meanwhile, Tony Romo faces an uncertain future with CBS after an offseason arrest. He has been indefinitely stood down, with rising star JJ Watt stepping in to partner Jim Nantz. Watt, a former defensive end, impressed in his debut season on CBS's No. 2 team and now has a significant opportunity to establish himself as a lead analyst. His performance will be closely watched as Romo's status remains unclear.
Netflix is making a bold move by bringing Luke Kuechly into its NFL broadcast team. The former Carolina Panthers linebacker reportedly impressed executives during a tryout and will partner Noah Eagle for the streaming giant's five NFL games this season. Kuechly's hire is considered unconventional as he is not a former quarterback, raising anticipation for his debut. The partnership with Eagle will be a key element as Netflix aims to assert its presence in NFL coverage.
Jason Kelce is also entering the broadcast booth, joining NFL Network for select International Series games. Despite some fan fatigue with his media presence, Kelce brings enthusiasm and the knowledge of a Super Bowl-winning center. His transition to an analyst role, reportedly on a three-year, $24 million contract, will be closely observed.
Other notable figures include Greg Olsen, who has transitioned to FOX's No. 2 broadcast team after Tom Brady took over the No. 1 crew. Olsen's popularity has grown due to fan sympathy, and speculation suggests he could be a target for other networks seeking a top analyst. Kirk Herbstreit continues his dual role, balancing ESPN's College GameDay with Amazon Prime Video's Thursday Night Football alongside Al Michaels. Cris Collinsworth remains a prominent voice for NBC's Sunday Night Football, known for his chemistry with Mike Tirico, despite some criticism regarding his commentary on Patrick Mahomes. Drew Brees, after an initial stint at NBC, is back with FOX, showing improvement in his partnership with Adam Amin.
At the top of the rankings, Troy Aikman continues to be a leading presence alongside Joe Buck for ESPN on ABC's Monday Night Football. Their long-standing chemistry and Aikman's insightful analysis have cemented their status as the premier broadcasting duo in the NFL.