A potential replacement for longtime NBC sports broadcaster Cris Collinsworth has emerged, and it’s a big name in the world of sports commentary: Greg Olsen. Collinsworth, an NFL legend, has been the lead analyst for NBC’s Sunday Night Football since 2009. He initially worked alongside broadcasting icon Al Michaels until 2021, when Mike Tirico took over play-by-play duties.
According to reports by Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, Collinsworth’s contract with NBC is nearing its end, with just one or two years remaining. This has sparked speculation about who might succeed him as the network’s top NFL analyst.
Traina suggested that NBC could be eyeing Fox Sports analyst Greg Olsen as a strong candidate to step into Collinsworth’s role. In a recent SI Media podcast episode with Traina, Olsen made it clear that he is eager to retain a top analyst position, especially after being bumped down from Fox’s No. 1 commentary team to make room for Tom Brady.
“Greg Olsen getting bumped for Tom Brady is tough because Olsen was so good and earned the No. 1 analyst role,” Traina explained. “Olsen has made it clear that he wants to be a No. 1 analyst somewhere.”
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Collinsworth, who began his broadcasting career with NBC in 2006, remains one of the most well-known and, at times, polarizing figures in NFL commentary. His honest, sometimes blunt analysis, combined with his enthusiasm for the game, has made him a favorite for some fans and a target for criticism by others. Despite the speculation, there has been no official indication from NBC that they are planning to move on from Collinsworth. If they did, it’s likely another network would quickly try to sign him, given his expertise and high profile.
Olsen, a former NFL tight end, has earned praise for his work as an analyst with Fox Sports, where he was part of the network’s top NFL commentary team alongside Kevin Burkhardt and Erin Andrews from 2021 to 2023. However, he was demoted to Fox’s No. 2 team in 2024, paired with Joe Davis, after Tom Brady signed a massive 10-year, $375 million deal with Fox to become their lead NFL analyst.
While Brady’s early performances in the booth have received mixed reviews, Olsen continues to be lauded for his sharp insights and relatable style of analysis. Olsen’s skills as an analyst have kept him in high demand, even though he is no longer on Fox’s top team. Fox, which will broadcast the Super Bowl this season, has Burkhardt and Brady scheduled to call the game, while Olsen continues to work with Davis.
In a recent interview with The Athletic, Olsen was open about the dynamic with Brady, acknowledging that while they both technically play the same role in the broadcast booth, their success is independent of each other.
“I want him to do well. I want him to succeed. I want him to feel I’m a good teammate,” Olsen said of Brady. “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 went on to emphasize that his success isn’t tied to Brady’s performance, adding, “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.”
He also expressed a clear goal for his partnership with Joe Davis, despite being on Fox’s second team: “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’re the ‘B’ crew.”
For NBC, the possibility of bringing in Olsen would represent a fresh, yet experienced voice in the booth, particularly as the network looks to continue the success of its flagship NFL broadcast after Collinsworth.
While nothing is confirmed, Olsen’s ambitions, combined with his talent and the looming end of Collinsworth’s contract, make him a serious contender for the coveted role.
As Collinsworth’s deal inches toward expiration, NFL fans and broadcasters alike are closely watching to see if NBC will stick with their veteran or usher in a new era with a rising star like Greg Olsen.
