This upcoming NFL season is going to look different. On NBC Sports, there won’t be Tony Dungy or Chris Simms. There will be Mike Tomlin making his network television debut just after stepping down as the head coach in Pittsburgh. Matt Ryan won’t be on CBS Sports, because he decided working for the Atlanta Falcons was a better proposition instead of studio work on Sundays.
While Russell Wilson continues to debate his NFL future or a spot in the studio, Jameis Winston has enjoyed a spring full of baseball and World Cup soccer this coming summer. The hot stove for networks looking to re-work their talent roster for the upcoming NFL season is never cold. What once felt like an occasional novelty has now become a growing trend across the sports media ecosystem.
Networks are no longer waiting until players retire to evaluate who can connect with an audience. Even in the NBA, ESPN is reportedly attempting to convince Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr to retire and join the studio. Needless to say, the demand for fresh personalities on sports network programming has never been greater.
The NFL media landscape is entering a transition period. FOX Sports has relied on familiar staples like Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long for decades. CBS Sports has leaned heavily on legacy names such as Bill Cowher. Meanwhile, NBC Sports, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and ESPN continue hunting for personalities capable of connecting with both traditional football audiences and younger streaming-first viewers.
The modern sports media game is no longer solely about breaking down Cover 2 defenses on a touchscreen. It’s about personality. Energy. Perspective. Authenticity. Viewers want analysts who feel human, unpredictable, and capable of creating viral moments while still offering football credibility.
Which raises the bigger question: if networks are truly thinking long-term, which current NFL stars should sit atop their future wish lists once retirement finally arrives?
Travis Kelce
The biggest and most obvious target remains Travis Kelce. His on-field resume speaks for itself, but his media instincts are what separate him. Kelce’s charisma jumps off the screen on New Heights. His football IQ was sharpened under Andy Reid alongside Patrick Mahomes. He understands pacing, storytelling, humor, and audience connection in a way few active athletes do.
He also brings crossover appeal unlike almost anyone in football. Kelce attracts diehard NFL fans, casual viewers, entertainment audiences, and pop culture consumers all at once. That type of reach is invaluable in a world where leagues and media companies increasingly prioritize broad audience expansion over niche expertise alone.
Matthew Stafford
The longtime quarterback spent twelve grueling seasons carrying the Detroit Lions before rewriting his legacy with a Super Bowl title in Los Angeles. The resume checks every box: former No. 1 overall pick, Super Bowl champion, respected veteran leader, and one of the most productive passers in league history.
But what makes Stafford particularly intriguing for television is his calm, measured presence. He carries credibility without forcing it. Stafford stepped into a larger media role through appearances tied to the Let’s Go! podcast alongside Tom Brady and Jim Gray, giving audiences a glimpse of how naturally he fits into longform football conversation.
Networks love quarterbacks who can simplify complex ideas without sounding robotic, and Stafford has that quality.
Cam Jordan
Cam Jordan feels destined for a major media platform. The longtime New Orleans Saints star has quietly spent years building his broadcasting resume through Super Bowl Radio Row appearances, podcasting, and digital content work with the NFL and iHeartMedia. Jordan understands the entertainment side of sports media without sacrificing substance.
His NFL credentials speak loudly enough already: multiple Pro Bowls, elite longevity, leadership credibility, and eventual Hall of Fame consideration. But it’s his personality that makes him stand out. Jordan is funny, relaxed, conversational, and capable of balancing thoughtful analysis with playful banter — exactly the combination modern pregame shows crave.
Aaron Rodgers
Say what you want about Rodgers, but television executives care about one thing above all else: attention.
Rodgers commands it.
His weekly appearances in year’s past on The Pat McAfee Show demonstrated just how magnetic and unpredictable he can be in an unscripted setting. Whether audiences agree with him or not is almost secondary. He sparks conversation, fuels debate, trends online, and keeps viewers engaged.
Does Rodgers know football? Absolutely. Does Rodgers create headlines? Constantly.
That combination is television gold.
Every network claims it wants authenticity, but authenticity often comes with edges. Rodgers has edges. He also has a Super Bowl ring, Hall of Fame credibility, decades of rivalries, and the kind of no-filter communication style that can instantly energize a studio show that otherwise risks becoming overly polished and predictable.
Test runs are nice, and networks will continue experimenting with active players and coaches as they search for the next generation of stars. But if we’re talking about the biggest long-term difference-makers for NFL television, these same four names still stand above the rest.
Kelce. Stafford. Jordan. Rodgers.
Those aren’t just future analysts. They’re future franchise players for television networks. And as the NFL’s media footprint continues expanding across broadcast, cable, streaming, and digital platforms, the companies bold enough to prioritize personality over safety may ultimately define the next era of football television.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
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.
