Greg Olsen's Future at Fox with Tom Brady's Arrival

Greg Olsen received widespread acclaim for his commentary during Sunday’s NFC championship game on Fox.

Social media was flooded with positive comments as Olsen accurately pinpointed San Francisco’s vulnerability against the run right from kickoff. The Detroit Lions subsequently capitalized on this weakness, amassing 148 yards and scoring three touchdowns on the ground before halftime.

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The praise mirrored the overall assessment of Olsen’s performance as the analyst on Fox’s top broadcast team. His ability to provide insightful commentary, share pertinent information, and offer unique perspectives enhances the viewing experience for fans. Listeners find him enjoyable and commend him for his proficiency in his role.

However, it appears that Sunday marked Olsen’s final day in his current position alongside lead play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt. Due to Fox’s deal with Tom Brady, Olsen is expected to face a demotion. The looming question for Olsen, in the event of a demotion, is whether he will choose to stay or move on.

Tom Brady is anticipated to assume Greg Olsen’s role in the upcoming fall season as Fox is set to broadcast next year’s Super Bowl. Fox secured Brady in 2022 with a 10-year, $375 million contract, intending for him to become the lead game analyst once he retires from the NFL.

Initially scheduled to take on the position for the 2023 season, Brady postponed the role for a year after contemplating the continuation of his NFL career during the offseason. Despite ultimately choosing retirement, he expressed the need for a year to adequately prepare and strive for excellence in his new role. Brady has consistently reiterated his intention to commence his role in 2024, but Fox has yet to officially confirm the broadcast team arrangements for the upcoming season.

During Brady’s hiatus, Olsen continued to excel in his role.

With Brady taking a gap year, Olsen remained on Fox’s No. 1 team alongside Kevin Burkhardt. They assumed this position when Joe Buck and Troy Aikman departed for ESPN in the 2022 season. Olsen has showcased his capabilities as a top-tier announcer during his two years in the spotlight, a role often subjected to criticism that can range from fans to media critics. Meanwhile, there is uncertainty about Brady’s aptitude for the job, and we will have to wait and see how he performs.

If Brady does indeed take over, Olsen is expected to face a substantial reduction in pay. According to the New York Post’s Andrew Marchand, Olsen’s five-year contract with Fox is valued at $10 million annually when he is calling games on the network’s No. 1 team. In contrast, on the No. 2 team, Olsen is set to receive $3 million per year.

Olsen’s contract also includes an opt-out clause. As per Marchand, Olsen has the option to explore opportunities with another network if he is removed from Fox’s No. 1 team. However, this would be contingent on an available position at another network.

Greg Olsen may find limited opportunities in the analyst market, considering the prominent positions held by other top analysts in the industry. Tony Romo serves as the lead analyst at CBS alongside Jim Nantz, boasting a substantial $180 million deal with the network until 2030. Cris Collinsworth holds the top analyst position at NBC alongside Mike Tirico, and while contract extension details from 2021 remain undisclosed, he continues to be a prominent figure at NBC.

Kirk Herbstreit is entering his second season as a game analyst alongside Al Michaels at Amazon, earning a reported $10 million annually. His role allows him to maintain a long-term deal with ESPN for college football coverage. Meanwhile, Troy Aikman has secured the “Monday Night Football” position at ESPN alongside Joe Buck, starting the third year of a reported five-year, $92.5 million contract.

The absence of visible openings for a lead analyst role complicates Olsen’s options, especially when considering the prospect of playing second fiddle to an unproven yet highly marketable Tom Brady, coupled with a significant $7 million pay cut. In the absence of another No. 1 analyst opportunity, Olsen might decide to stay at Fox on the No. 2 team while keeping an eye out for his next chance at a top job. This could be advantageous for Fox. Ultimately, the situation hinges on whether Brady indeed takes over the anticipated role.