Greg Olsen has made it clear that he harbors no resentment toward Tom Brady, despite being replaced by the legendary quarterback as Fox’s lead color commentator. The former Carolina Panthers tight end had been part of Fox’s No. 1 broadcast team alongside Kevin Burkhardt for the past two seasons, earning a reputation as one of the most popular and insightful voices in NFL commentary.
However, with Brady stepping into the role this season after signing a massive 10-year, $375 million contract with Fox in 2022, Olsen has been moved to the network’s No. 2 team. Despite this change, Olsen maintains a positive outlook and expresses support for Brady’s success in his new role, even though the seven-time Super Bowl champion comes in with no prior broadcasting experience.
In an interview with The Athletic, Olsen shared his perspective on the situation. “I want him to do well,” Olsen said. “I want him to succeed. I want him to feel like 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.”
Olsen’s gracious attitude reflects his team-first mentality, a trait he carried throughout his playing career. Even though he’s been replaced by Brady on Fox’s top team, Olsen is focused on his own goals. He continues to call games for the network, now paired with broadcaster Joe Davis. Olsen is optimistic about the new pairing, stating that his goal is to make their partnership stand out as the “best crew on TV,” regardless of their designation as the network’s No. 2 team.
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“My success is not contingent upon Tom,” Olsen explained. “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 went on to say that he and Davis are determined to earn the reputation as the top broadcast duo, despite being labeled the “B crew.” “I’ve talked to Joe about this—I want people to think that Joe and I are the best crew on television. It doesn’t matter that we are the B crew.”
Though Olsen has been bumped from the top spot, he hasn’t given up on his aspirations. He shared that he “would love to be part” of Fox’s Super Bowl coverage this season. However, with Brady and Burkhardt expected to call the game in New Orleans next February, it remains unlikely that Olsen will be in the booth for the big event.
Brady’s debut in the Fox booth last Sunday garnered mixed reviews. While his presence undoubtedly helped boost ratings for Week 1, with viewers curious to see how the NFL great would transition into broadcasting, opinions on his performance varied. Brady’s first assignment saw him join Burkhardt in Cleveland, and while his future in the booth remains a topic of debate, it’s clear that his star power is already driving significant attention to Fox’s broadcasts.
This weekend, Brady will return to the booth alongside Burkhardt for the Dallas Cowboys’ matchup against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Meanwhile, Olsen will be calling the action as the Indianapolis Colts take on the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
Despite the changes in Fox’s broadcasting lineup, Olsen remains confident and determined to make the most of his opportunity.
His focus is on continuing to provide high-quality analysis and showcasing his expertise in his new role, regardless of whether he’s part of the top broadcast team.
With his competitive spirit and positive attitude, it’s clear that Greg Olsen is determined to prove that he belongs among the best in the booth, no matter what crew he’s assigned to.
