The NFL’s free agent crop of broadcasters got a little smaller after two potential candidates removed their names from the ring. Instead of joining a network for the 2020 season, Drew Brees and Greg Olsen will be on the field for at least one more year.
NFL tight end Greg Olsen has called games for FOX during his bye week in recent seasons. Currently, Olsen is in the midst of working a five-game slate of XFL telecasts on FOX, with the network reportedly interested in signing him to a full-time contract. A full-time offer will have to wait for at least one season, however, as the 34-year old tight end agreed to a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks.
Brees doesn’t have one foot in the broadcast booth the way Olsen does, but the 41-year old quarterback did supposedly have his reps meet with network executives during Super Bowl week to discuss their mutual interest. Brees announced he’s returning to the Saints in 2020, but he will again receive plenty of interest about a second career in broadcasting once he’s done playing.
While the hottest broadcasting free-agent hasn’t yet announced what booth he’ll be sitting in next season, Tony Romo does sound like he knows what network he’ll be with.
“I think I’m already there a little bit, but we’ll see how it plays out, even though I think I already know, but I’m just not telling you guys,” Romo said with a laugh during an interview with Ben and Skin of 97.1 The Eagle in Dallas.
With ESPN heavily interested in landing Romo, the former quarterback is expected to land a deal that will pay him more than $15 million annually. CBS has the first right of refusal to match any offer he gets, keeping them as the favorite to retain Romo.
With Olsen and Brees heading back to the NFL, if Romo returns to CBS the trio will have passed on shaking up the broadcast industry despite swirling rumors this offseason.