The CBS broadcast team is bringing a new lineup for the 2026 NFL season — with a few notable additions. Jim Nantz, J.J. Watt, and Tracy Wolfson are the network’s lead game crew, while The NFL Today, hosted by James Brown, adds Super Bowl XLVIII-winning quarterback Russell Wilson, and elevates Kyle Long, the former NFL offensive lineman, to a full-time studio analyst role.
Beyond the A-team, CBS has rolled out one of the deepest NFL broadcasting rosters in television, featuring Ian Eagle, Ross Tucker, Kevin Harlan, Trent Green, Andrew Catalon, and more. CBS remains the primary broadcast home for AFC games during the regular season, with NFL games also available to stream on Paramount+ in local markets where available.
Here’s a look at the announcers, commentators, sideline reporters, and studio hosts you’ll see throughout the season.
Key facts
Just want the highlights? Here’s a quick look at the 2026 CBS NFL broadcast team.
- Season: 2026 NFL season
- Network: CBS
- Lead broadcast team: Jim Nantz, J.J. Watt, Tracy Wolfson
- Studio show: The NFL Today
- Studio host: James Brown
- Studio analysts: Nate Burleson, Bill Cowher, Russell Wilson, Kyle Long
Who is on the CBS NFL broadcast team?
CBS deploys multiple NFL broadcast teams every week, with each team built around three primary roles: a play-by-play announcer who calls the action, a game analyst who breaks down what viewers are seeing, and a sideline reporter who provides injury updates, interviews, and real-time reporting from the field.
Away from the stadiums, The NFL Today anchors CBS studio coverage before kickoff, at halftime, and after the final whistle. While the No. 1 team — Jim Nantz, J.J. Watt, and Tracy Wolfson — typically handle the network’s biggest games, the rest of the assignments shift throughout the season depending on scheduling, regional coverage maps, and matchup importance.
| Role | Notable Names |
| Play-by-play announcers | Jim Nantz, Ian Eagle, Kevin Harlan, Andrew Catalon, Spero Dedes and Tom McCarthy |
| Color commentators | J.J. Watt, Ross Tucker, Trent Green, Logan Ryan, Adam Archuleta and Robert Turbin |
| Sideline reporters | Tracy Wolfson, Evan Washburn, Melanie Collins, AJ Ross, Aditi Kinkhabwala and Tiffany Blackmon |
| Studio hosts and analysts | James Brown, Nate Burleson, Bill Cowher, Russell Wilson, Kyle Long |
Meet the lead game crew
Ready to meet the roster? Here’s a breakdown of the faces you’ll see most often throughout this football season.
Jim Nantz
Getty Images
Few broadcasters are more closely associated with NFL Sundays than Jim Nantz. CBS’ lead play-by-play announcer has been the voice of the network’s biggest broadcasts for more than two decades, handling marquee regular-season matchups, playoff games, and AFC Championship Game broadcasts. His path to the NFL’s lead broadcast booth began at CBS in 1985. After becoming a fixture of the network’s college football coverage, Nantz took over as the voice of CBS’ top NFL team in 2004. He calls the biggest games and playoff matchups.
J.J. Watt
CBS Sports
Watt’s been on the rise since joining CBS Sports in 2023. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year started his broadcasting career as an analyst on The NFL Today before being elevated to lead analyst. He delivers insightful and candid analysis after a dozen seasons as one of the most feared pass rushers in the NFL.
Tracy Wolfson
CBS Sports
Tracy Wolfson has been CBS’ lead sideline reporter since 2014, making her one of the most familiar faces in the network’s football coverage. Working alongside Jim Nantz and J.J. Watt, she delivers injury updates, conducts coach and player interviews, and reports developments that viewers can’t see from the broadcast. Wolfson serves as CBS’ eyes and ears on the field during its biggest broadcasts.
Other game announcers and analysts
CBS Sports
Ian Eagle and Ross Tucker
Ian Eagle and Ross Tucker headline CBS’ No. 2 NFL booth. Eagle is a veteran play-by-play broadcaster, while Tucker brings the perspective of a former offensive lineman. The pair combine Eagle’s polished game-calling and quick-witted humor with Tucker’s Emmy-nominated analysis. They’ll be frequently assigned major national games and playoff coverage.
Kevin Harlan and Trent Green
Kevin Harlan and Trent Green are a veteran CBS duo with deep ties to Kansas City. Harlan began his career announcing for the Chiefs, and Green brings the perspective of a former NFL quarterback who played more than a decade in the league, including a standout run in Kansas City. Together, they combine energetic calls with extensive NFL knowledge and experience.
Andrew Catalon and Logan Ryan
Andrew Catalon will have a new voice alongside him in the booth this season, with former NFL defensive back Logan Ryan replacing longtime analyst Charles Davis, who had partnered with Catalon for several seasons. Catalon remains one of CBS’ top-tier play-by-play announcers, regularly handling prominent Sunday matchups behind the network’s top crews led by Jim Nantz, Ian Eagle, and Kevin Harlan.
Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta
Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta form one of CBS Sports’ most experienced secondary NFL broadcast teams. Dedes brings a versatile play-by-play background across multiple sports, while Archuleta provides the perspective of a former NFL safety and two-time Pro Bowler. Together, they regularly call regional Sunday afternoon games, offering a steady and analytical style.
Additional contributors
Beyond the primary booths, CBS has added depth across both the analyst and play-by-play ranks. Play-by-play broadcaster Tom McCarthy and former NFL running back turned color commentator Robert Turbin round out CBS’ six broadcasting teams this season.
The NFL Today cast
Before kickoff each Sunday, The NFL Today serves as CBS’ NFL headquarters. The longtime studio show blends analysis, breaking news, highlights, predictions, and insider reporting to prepare viewers for the day’s biggest matchups. The desk features a mix of former players, coaches, and reporters, giving the show perspectives from nearly every corner of the league. Below are the faces of the show.
In addition to The NFL Today, CBS Sports also launched the first-ever streaming-only official NFL Sunday pregame show, The NFL Today+. The weekly two-hour show, which streams live on Paramount+, CBS Sports HQ and the NFL on CBS YouTube page, kicks off at 10 AM ET and leads directly into The NFL Today on CBS and Paramount+.
James Brown
Getty Images
James Brown has been the steady presence at the center of The NFL Today for more than two decades. As host and moderator, he guides the studio’s discussions, introduces breaking news, and keeps conversations moving between analysts with decades of coaching and playing experience. Brown has also hosted the Super Bowl a record 10 times, making him one of the most recognizable studio hosts in NFL broadcasting.
Nate Burleson
CBS Sports
Former NFL wide receiver and CBS Mornings co-host Nate Burleson brings a player’s perspective to The NFL Today, breaking down offensive strategy, receiver play, and quarterback decisions. His energetic style and ability to explain complex concepts in simple terms have made him one of CBS’ most well-known analysts.
Bill Cowher
Getty Images
A Super Bowl XL-winning head coach, Cowher brings a unique coaching and leadership perspective to the panel. He often explains game management, defensive adjustments, leadership decisions, and what coaches are thinking during critical moments.
Russell Wilson
Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios
Russell Wilson joins The NFL Today in 2026, bringing the perspective of a Super Bowl-winning quarterback to CBS’ studio team. Wilson played 14 NFL seasons and won Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seattle Seahawks.
“Throughout his career, Russell Wilson has been a winner, both on and off the field,” says Harold Bryant, executive producer and executive vice president, production at CBS Sports. “We’re thrilled to add a Super Bowl champion and one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks to our roster. Russell’s preparation and leadership set him apart, and we look forward to the perspective and insight he will bring to the studio straight from the field.”
Kyle Long
CBS Sports
Kyle Long becomes a full-time The NFL Today analyst in 2026 after joining CBS Sports as an analyst in 2020. The former NFL offensive lineman brings six seasons of playing experience and a three-time Pro Bowl resume to the studio.
“Kyle brings an infectious energy, relentless passion, and deep knowledge of the game and is not shy about sharing his opinions,” Bryant says. “He has earned this opportunity, and we’re proud to elevate him to a full-time role on The NFL Today. We’re excited for this new team at the desk to kick off NFL Sundays on CBS.”
NFL Today+ cast
In addition to The NFL Today, CBS Sports also launched the first-ever streaming-only official NFL Sunday pregame show, The NFL Today+. The weekly two-hour show, which streams live on Paramount+, CBS Sports HQ and the NFL on CBS YouTube page, kicks off at 10 AM ET and leads directly into The NFL Today on CBS and Paramount+.
Here’s the NFL Today+ cast:
- Russell Wilson: The Super Bowl XLVIII champion not only joined The NFL Today crew this season, but he’s also on The NFL Today+ as a studio analyst after retiring from the league in 2025.
- Kyle Long: The former seven-year NFL pro performs double duty with his work on The NFL Today and The NFL Today+. He’s a studio analyst for the streaming show.
- Antonio Pierce: An undrafted linebacker out of Arizona State, Pierce parlayed his nine-year career with the Washington Redskins and New York Giants into a coaching career that included stints at his alma mater Arizona State and, ultimately, as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023 and 2024. He’s now a studio analyst.
- Mackenzie Brooks: Brooks is a data analyst for The NFL Today and The NFL Today+. Brooks studied data analytics and computer coding at the University of Georgia before joining CBS. She delivers data-driven picks and analysis across the NFL, college football and NBA.
- Darius Slay: A second-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, Slay played 13 seasons in the league prior to joining CBS. The Super Bowl LIX champion was a six-time Pro Bowler and a first-team All-Pro in 2017.
Sideline reporters
Sideline reporters provide the information viewers can’t get from simply watching the broadcast. From injury updates and coach interviews to weather conditions and breaking news, they give real-time context that often shapes how a game is understood.
CBS rotates its sideline reporters throughout the season, pairing them with different broadcast crews depending on the matchup. While Tracy Wolfson typically works the network’s biggest games, reporters like Evan Washburn, Melanie Collins, and AJ Ross move between regional and national assignments.
CBS NFL sideline reporters include:
- Tracy Wolfson: The lead sideline reporter for CBS’s top NFL broadcast team, covering marquee regular-season games and playoff matchups.
- Evan Washburn: A veteran reporter who regularly works with CBS’s top game crews and contributes across CBS Sports programming.
- Melanie Collins: Collins covers NFL games throughout the season and provides player, coach, and injury updates from the sidelines.
- AJ Ross: A versatile CBS Sports reporter who contributes sideline coverage across NFL and college football broadcasts.
- Aditi Kinkhabwala: An NFL reporter and analyst who contributes reporting and insight across CBS Sports coverage.
- Tiffany Blackmon: An experienced NFL reporter known for delivering in-game updates, interviews, and breaking news.
Which announcers call your team’s games?
NFL broadcast crews aren’t assigned to specific teams. Instead, CBS rotates its announcers, analysts, and sideline reporters each week based on the schedule, regional broadcast windows, and the importance of each matchup.
CBS’ lead crews are typically assigned to the week’s biggest matchups, with higher-profile AFC games often receiving the network’s top broadcast teams. Because assignments can change from week to week, check the latest NFL on CBS coverage maps and announcer assignments before kickoff to find out who will be calling your team’s game.
How to watch NFL games on CBS and Paramount+
CBS airs NFL games throughout the regular season and into the playoffs. During the regular season, CBS’ Sunday coverage features a rotating lineup of games, while the network also carries key postseason matchups, including AFC playoff games leading up to the conference championship game.
CBS NFL games are available to stream through Paramount+ in your local market. Since broadcast availability depends on your location and the weekly schedule, fans should check the NFL schedule, CBS coverage maps, and team-specific guides before kickoff. Whether you’re tracking the defending champion Seahawks or hoping to catch a Chiefs game, we have all the info for every team competing.
Want more? Check out our guides to How To Watch NFL Games In 2026, How To Watch NFL Games Without Cable In 2026-2027, and What NFL Games Are On In My Area? How To Find Your Local Game.
NFL on CBS
Watch NowFAQ
Who are the lead announcers for NFL games on CBS?
CBS’ lead NFL broadcast team is anchored by play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz, lead analyst J.J. Watt and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson. The trio is the network’s top announce crew, typically assigned to CBS’s biggest regular-season matchups, including high-profile AFC games and marquee Sunday afternoon broadcasts.
Who hosts The NFL Today?
James Brown is the longtime host of The NFL Today, CBS Sports’ flagship NFL studio show, complete with predictions, breaking news, player interviews, expert analysis, and highlights from the league. Brown is the face of the studio show and the moderator, leading discussions and asking questions.
Alongside him are former NFL players Nate Burleson, Russell Wilson, and Kyle Long along with former Super Bowl XL-winning coach Bill Cowher. Together, they bring a variety of perspectives to break down the day’s biggest games and give extra information ahead of kickoff time.
Does Paramount+ stream NFL games shown on CBS?
Yes. Paramount+ streams the NFL games airing on your local CBS station, though availability depends on your location and the weekly broadcast schedule.
Which CBS announcers call playoff games?
CBS’ NFL playoff assignments typically go to the network’s top broadcast teams. Jim Nantz, J.J. Watt, and Tracy Wolfson are generally featured on marquee games, while other experienced CBS crews receive assignments based on the playoff schedule and broadcast rotation.
Because playoff games carry higher stakes and a larger audience, CBS selects its most established announcers to provide the calls. Assignments can vary each postseason depending on the matchups, but fans can expect the network’s lead teams to cover the biggest games, including AFC playoff matchups and the AFC Championship Game when CBS has the rights.
Who is the sideline reporter for the lead CBS crew?
Tracy Wolfson serves as the sideline reporter for CBS’ lead NFL broadcast crew, working alongside Jim Nantz and J.J. Watt on the network’s biggest games. A longtime CBS Sports broadcaster, Wolfson has covered the NFL sideline since 2014, bringing years of experience reporting from some of football’s most important matchups.
Wolfson provides the updates viewers cannot get from the broadcast booth, including player injury reports, coach and player interviews, and breaking news from the field. As CBS’s lead sideline reporter, she is typically assigned to the network’s highest-profile broadcasts, including marquee regular-season matchups and major postseason games.
