Cris Collinsworth, NBC Apparently On Way To Staying Together For A While
It appears Cris Collinsworth is one NFL television analyst who won't be moving to Amazon's upcoming Thursday night streaming package.
Instead, Collinsworth is discussing a contract extension that will pay him in the neighborhood of $12.5 million a year, according to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post.
This is news because Collinsworth was indeed among the names mentioned as a possible analyst for Amazon's all-digital Thursday Night Football package. Play-by-play man Al Michaels is expected to do so, however, and word is, he will be joined by Troy Aikman.
As for NBC, it hired Mike Tirico several years back as an eventual replacement for Michaels. That strategy is now looking like it will happen in 2022.
"There had been some speculation that Tirico could be paired with Drew Brees, but Collinsworth will remain with the network for the foreseeable future," wrote Steve DelVecchio of Larry Brown Sports.
Meanwhile, Michaels' future seems all but set.
"Michaels’ current contract ends after he calls the Super Bowl this February in his hometown of Los Angeles," Marchand wrote. "He may not make a final decision until after that game. The only other possibility that could emerge is if ESPN’s 'Monday Night Football' were to change its main booth again. Michaels has given no indications he wants to retire."