There’s an old saying that the greatest things in life come when you least expect them. In any career, there’s a benefit to being in the right place at the right time. Some say you need a little luck as well. However, luck only occurs when preparation meets opportunity. Kyle Long always dreamed of following in his father’s footsteps. Howie Long, Kyle’s father, was a giant influence on his life. From his Hall of Fame career on the football field to becoming one of the guiding voices of the sport off it.
That path his father helped pave ultimately led to many of the same doors opening. Long was a first-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. He went on to become a three-time Pro Bowl selection before officially retiring from the league in 2022. While his NFL career didn’t mirror his father’s, Long followed a similar path after retirement by joining CBS Sports.
For the last three years, Long has been a budding star with CBS Sports as one of the network’s NFL analysts. He became a fixture on the network with That Other Pregame Show and, more recently, The NFL Today+. However, following Matt Ryan’s departure from The NFL Today for an executive role with the Atlanta Falcons, questions emerged about who would fill Ryan’s seat on the network’s flagship NFL pregame program.
“When I first got the phone call, I thought it was going to be gaging my opinion on someone else in sports media,” recalled Long about the call from CBS executives regarding the open chair on The NFL Today. “It went from being another ‘teammate call’ asking my opinion on possibilities, to being a call about me. I was floored by it.”
Beginning this fall, Kyle Long, along with Russell Wilson, will be the latest additions to The NFL Today on CBS. The one-hour pregame show will feature Long and Wilson alongside Nate Burleson, Bill Cowher and host James Brown. As part of the promotion, both Wilson and Long will also serve as studio analysts on THE NFL TODAY+, CBS Sports’ digital NFL pregame show streaming on Paramount+, CBS Sports HQ and the NFL on CBS YouTube channel.
“This opportunity is something I’m not taking for granted. It’s cliche, but it’s a lifelong dream of mine since I was old enough to realize what goals are,” explains Long. “The stars have aligned. The universe has been very good to me and my family. Football has been a huge part of my identity.”
A Family Competition
The dream began for Long in 1994 when his father became one of the original faces of the NFL on FOX. For the last 30 seasons, Howie Long has continued to provide insight, analysis and opinion on the network’s signature pregame show. Now, his son reaches the same pinnacle. With FOX NFL Sunday and The NFL Today occupying the same time slot on competing networks, father and son will compete for the attention of football fans across America.
“He always told me he’d have a couple good plays left in him as a football player if I ever wanted to challenge him. The great news is we’re not wearing helmets anymore big guy,” joked Long. “The NFL on CBS is my family, but those guys [NFL on FOX] are my family too in a weird way.”
Long revealed that while working game days at CBS Sports, he would often venture into the control room to watch his father and his longtime colleagues on FOX. From time to time, the two exchanged quick texts about their wardrobes or squeezed in a FaceTime call during commercial breaks.
All joking aside, Long feels blessed to have witnessed his father’s rise on and off the football field.
“We have visibility on one another, and we always check in on one another. My dad is an amazing support system. I’m very lucky to have someone in my life that’s done it the right way for so long be my north star,” explains Long. “He told me to always be myself. It’s cliche, but in my case lean into it. I’m not going to fool anyone like I’m a chemist. I am what I am. He told me that all the time, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
When it came to his second act following football, Long leaned on his father’s routine as a guide. While sports media was always the destination, he chose the studio route over pursuing a career in the broadcast booth like many of his contemporaries.
“My dad always told me that the studio is a fantastic way to do it. First and foremost, you get suited and booted one time a week. If you do a game, you are home three nights a week. People don’t understand the rigors, travel, schedule that these people have,” said Long. “The studio is the same every Sunday. My dad tried to explain that to me early. When I told him I had some interest in calling games, he told me to pump the brakes on the idea.”
Long experimented with the broadcast booth by calling several college football games over the past few seasons, satisfying his curiosity about the role. While he enjoyed the experience, he ultimately concluded that studio television offered the perfect balance between football analysis and the lifestyle he wanted.
Adding Russell Wilson
What makes the moment even more special for Long is entering the role alongside Russell Wilson. The two have shared a bond dating back to childhood, when they played baseball against one another.
The venture will be Wilson’s first full-time television role, but Long believes his longtime friend is more than prepared for the opportunity.
“Russell already gets the media stuff. Our relationship is very unique. There was a respectful competitive animus there. Now, we get to sit next to one another and there will be barbs thrown, laughs had. For the most part, this guy is ready for this,” said Long. “He’s a great dude. We hit a home run, and I’m so lucky to share a desk with Russell Wilson.”
Long’s goal on The NFL Today is simple: celebrate the game. He looks forward to being a great teammate on an established program while helping continue its tradition of success. Rather than reinventing the show, Long wants to collaborate, listen and embrace the fun that comes with Sunday afternoons.
With that built-in chemistry already in place from sharing CBS hallways over the past few seasons, Long believes viewers can expect plenty of spontaneous and memorable moments.
“With the level of player and athletes that we have on our show, I think it would be entertaining to get up and move around. I have a hard time sitting still. Sometimes I run out of the camera. The more of that stuff, the better,” said Long. “Always ask for forgiveness than permission. There will be a lot of fun and cool elements to come. Russell [Wilson] wants to get up and demonstrate. He would be a head coach or quarterback coach if he wasn’t doing this. He is obsessed with ball. This is going to be fun.”
Talkin’ Ball On Sundays
For more than three decades, football fans have associated the Long name with insightful Sunday analysis. Beginning this fall, they’ll have a choice between two Longs in the same time slot.
Howie Long built a Hall of Fame career on the field before becoming one of television’s most recognizable NFL analysts. Kyle Long earned his own football credentials, spent the last three years proving himself in the studio and, when the opportunity finally arrived, was ready to answer.
The dream may have started by watching his father, but the next chapter belongs to him.
“Success for me is waking up with my hair on fire every Sunday. Bringing that energy and teamwork to The NFL Today every Sunday,” said Long. “Always bringing things that keep the offense moving. That’s what I’m looking forward to bringing to the table.”
Come Week 1, there won’t just be another Long on NFL television. There will be another Long carrying the family name into a new generation—this time from a different desk, on a different network and with a chance to build a legacy entirely his own.
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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.