Yesterday, the clicker got a NFL-style workout. FOX Sports and CBS Sports both extended invitations to New York Giants quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson, respectively, to join their network pre-game programming. I can only imagine the workout the remote got in households full of G-Men fans. Then again, it hasn’t been the greatest season of all time for Giants nation.
There’s nothing unusual about current players using their bye week to stop by network pre-game shows as guest analysts. Oftentimes, their perspective aligns more closely with the modern game than someone who retired more than a decade ago. For players, it’s a chance to spotlight the franchise they represent on a national stage and audition for whatever may come next.
It’s a win-win-win for the player, the network, and the franchise. But are Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston truly network-level material for NFL pre-game shows? And if networks are thinking long-term, which current players sit atop the Mount Rushmore of future television targets?
Looking across the NFL media landscape, FOX, CBS, NBC, ESPN, Prime Video, and Netflix are all searching for new blood. Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long have been FOX staples since 1994. Bill Cowher joined CBS 18 years ago. NBC and Prime have the freshest on-air faces, while Netflix is still borrowing talent from other networks to build its NFL presence.
With Netflix forecasting even more NFL business, the platform will eventually need to construct its own roster of talent. FOX needs a facelift. CBS could use a jolt of energy. And with rights fees climbing—and the NFL hinting it may open negotiations earlier than expected—the race to sign the next wave of media stars may become as competitive as free agency itself.
Travis Kelce
The biggest and most obvious target is Travis Kelce. His on-field resume speaks for itself, and in a few years the country will be glued to his Hall of Fame speech. Which, of course, will be followed by an acoustic performance of “Wood” in Canton, OH.
Kelce checks every box. His charisma jumps off the screen on New Heights. His football IQ runs deep after years with Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. He’s got the rings, the personality, the presence—and the girl. He’s the kind of star who draws in everyone from diehard football fans to casual viewers. And let’s be honest: there’s built-in intrigue in whether Taylor Swift will stand by her man as he travels each week through the fall and winter.
Matthew Stafford
Next up is Matthew Stafford. The 17-year veteran spent 12 grueling seasons with the Detroit Lions before rewriting his narrative with a Super Bowl title in Los Angeles. The resume is airtight: former No. 1 pick, Super Bowl champion, and top ten all-time in passing yards and touchdowns. His demeanor reflects grit, longevity, and leadership—traits networks love.
This year, Stafford stepped into Bill Belichick’s role on the Let’s Go! podcast, working alongside Tom Brady and Jim Gray. It’s been a proving ground and a chance to refine his media presence beyond the narrow demands of being an NFL quarterback. With his contract ending after next season, it’s a safe bet networks are already circling.
Cam Jordan
On the defensive side of the ball, Cam Jordan is a star waiting for the right platform. The longtime Saints defensive end has been building his media résumé for years. From more than a decade of Super Bowl Radio Row appearances to his Off The Edge with Cam Jordan podcast through iHeartMedia and the NFL Podcast Network, Jordan has quietly become one of the league’s most polished personalities.
The NFL resume is there: an eight-time Pro Bowler who ranks top twenty all-time in sacks. Despite being drafted two years after the Saints won their first and only Super Bowl title, Jordan has been a force on the defensive side of New Orleans’ attack while Drew Brees received most of the accolades. He’s missed only one start in his fifteen-year career and will no doubt be wearing a gold jacket once he retires.
Jordan brings his laugh and a passion for the fun of the game. Most defensive ends, while serious on the field, are playful and outgoing off it. His work on Off The Edge has been impressive. He takes advantage of working alongside the NFL’s podcast arm, which helps with access, coaching, and positioning for something larger with the league.
Aaron Rodgers
And then there’s Aaron Rodgers.
Say what you want, but he commands attention. He’s controversial, intelligent, and endlessly fascinating. His weekly appearances on The Pat McAfee Show broke norms and expanded his reach to an entirely new audience. Agree or disagree with his off-field stances, that’s not what networks are evaluating.
Does Aaron Rodgers know football? Yes. Does Aaron Rodgers command the attention of NFL fans? Oh hell yeah.
If a network is looking for someone with a touch of unpredictability—and maybe a hint of ayahuasca—Rodgers is the guy. His résumé guarantees a red-carpet entrance to Canton. He has a Super Bowl ring, rivalries across the NFC North, and even Jets fans divided and engaged. He’s plugged in, thoughtful, and unafraid. Does he court controversy? Sure. But so does Richard Sherman with his stances on Black Lives Matter.
Put Rodgers on a network set and every segment becomes must-watch TV. A former quarterback with no filter would inject new life into any pre-game show.
Test runs are cute, and Russ cooked while Jameis was Jameis. But networks don’t need “cute”—they need NFL stars. They need energy, unpredictability, authority, and charisma, all wrapped in someone who can make fans lean forward on a Sunday morning.
Wilson and Winston earned a headline, but Kelce, Stafford, Jordan, and Rodgers would make a show. And as the NFL’s media footprint expands, the networks bold enough to chase real personalities instead of safe placeholders will own the next era of pre-game television.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
Hopefully Rogers will think he’s too good to be a broadcaster and go back into his holistic cabin in the woods. Though I realize he knows football, I will turn the channel if ends up doing games.