Musical Chairs In The Booth: Recapping An NFL Broadcasting Offseason Unlike Any Other

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We did it, folks! The long, long, wait is over and the 2022 NFL season kicks off TONIGHT. But when you're watching games on TV this season, you might notice a bunch of changes in each of the broadcast booths for some of the major networks. In case you missed it during the offseason, here is a quick refresher on who will be calling the marquee games at each of the networks on Thursdays, Sundays, and Mondays. 

ESPN (Monday Night Football) - Joe Buck and Troy Aikman

Your eyes do not deceive you. After more than two decades together at FOX, this highly talented duo made the jump to ESPN and will be calling Monday Night Football. Joe Buck called 23 World Series, 21 All-Star Games, and six Super Bowls with FOX, and he will trade out calling baseball for a 5-year and $75 million deal with ESPN. Not bad, not bad at all. Meanwhile, Aikman gets 5 years and $90 million. Meh. 

FOX (Sunday Afternoon) - Kevin Burkhardt and Greg Olsen

The natural first question after Buck and Aikman changed networks - who will be replacing them? Introducing Kevin Burdkhardt, who does a fantastic job with FOX's playoff baseball studio coverage and has been calling NFL games for a while now. He is paired up with Greg Olsen - for now. I say that because FOX is set to hire a man by the name of Tom Brady for the top analyst role to a 10-year, $375 MILLION (!) contract once the GOAT officially retires from playing. Burkhardt and Olsen will call Super Bowl LVII in February, marking the first time someone not named Buck, Nantz, or Michaels will be on the headset since 2004.

Other FOX Crews:

Joe Davis, Daryl Johnston, Pam Oliver

Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth, Kristina Pink

Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma, Shannon Spake

Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez, Laura Okmin

Chris Myers, Robert Smith, Jen Hale

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Amazon (Thursday Night Football) - Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit

Hello, Amazon! This is the first time a streaming service has obtained exclusive, season-long rights to NFL games in the US, and they are bringing in an ELITE duo to the broadcast booth. Al Michaels was at NBC since 1971, but the 77-year-old made this major move in the offseason to add to his illustrious career. He is teaming up with Kirk Herbstreit, who is obviously known for his analysis in the college game, but has a very good reputation in the field. I really don't know anyone who dislikes him (plus he called a few NFL games last year). This package begins in Week 2 and runs through Week 17.

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NBC (Sunday Night Football) - Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth

The Collinsworth Slide will be coming into frame with a permanent, new partner this year. Syracuse legend Mike Tirico has called a bunch of NFL games in his career (including MNF), and he takes over for Al Michaels after Michaels dipped for Amazon. I was surprised when Tirico left ESPN for NBC in 2016, but one of the main reasons for that was Tirico's desire to call a Super Bowl. Now with Michaels elsewhere, he is in the driver's seat at NBC, who has the rights to the big game again in 2026.

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CBS (Sunday Afternoon) - Jim Nantz and Tony Romo

This is the only network to not have a major change with their primary booth. We will continue to get Tony Romo's electricity breaking down and predicting plays, and Jim Nantz will continue to be by his side. Romo is in the middle of a 10 year, $180 million deal with CBS. That's a lot of money.

Other CBS Crews:

Ian Eagle, Charles Davis, Evan Washburn

Kevin Harlan, Trent Green, Melanie Collins

Greg Gumbel, Adam Archuleta, AJ Ross

Andrew Catalon, James Lofton

Spero Dedes, Jay Feely

Tom McCarthy, Tiki Barber

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So, get familiar with the above crews. You'll be seeing and hearing a lot of them over the next 5-6 months. They are filled with tons of talented and knowledgeable broadcasters. Football is back!