2022 was a lot of things for the NFL. It was the year Patrick Mahomes established himself as an all-timer. It marked the Philadelphia Eagles’ ascension from “opportunistic middle grounder” to “bonafide contender.” It was a further exploration of Matt Patricia’s failures on the sideline, whether at the top of the coaching tree or as a poorly pruned branch.
It was also the year Tony Romo said “I don’t know, Jim!” so often he’ll have no trouble securing a trademark on it.
Romo, once lauded for his ability to see the minutiae other color commentators missed and predict plays before they unfold, lost his fastball in 2022. His work in the booth went from genuine insight to a poor man’s rendition of Bob Saget narrating clip after clip of dopey dads getting hit in the crotch. He was, to put it simply, not good.
But he’s back on CBS’s top announcer lineup for 2023, where he’ll again team with Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson to take on the network’s top priority broadcasts each Sunday. While that trio remained intact, there are several changes that will introduce new faces and fresh pairings to AFC games (and the occasional cross-over NFC tilt) this fall.
Let’s take a look at the seven announcing teams and what’s changed for 2023.
1
The NFL Today studio show: Here comes J.J. Watt
The five-man panel becomes a six-man unit — seven if you count insider Jonathan Jones — thanks to Watt’s transition from the field to the desk.
THE NFL TODAY will feature host James Brown alongside analysts Phil Simms, Nate Burleson, Bill Cowher, and Boomer Esiason, and lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones, with J.J. Watt making appearances throughout the season. pic.twitter.com/1VjDLjsO5J
— CBS Sports PR (@CBSSportsGang) July 24, 2023
2
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson: No changes
CBS opted to keep this unit intact. This could mean a return to “Romodamus,” or another season of excited, surprised squeals after eight-yard catches.
CBS Sports Unveils 2023 @NFLonCBS Announcer Lineup for its Super Bowl Season
Lead Team of Jim Nantz, Tony Romo & Tracy Wolfson Returns for 7th Season & 3rd Super Bowl Together
J.J. Watt, Matt Ryan, Jason McCourty & Ross Tucker Join as Analysts
Release: https://t.co/BhFi4R9qQR pic.twitter.com/59Ks9Tr4MA
— CBS Sports PR (@CBSSportsGang) July 24, 2023
3
Ian Eagle, Charles Davis and Evan Washburn: No changes
Arguably the *actual* top arrow in CBS’s quiver. It all depends on how you feel about Kevin Harlan.
4
Kevin Harlan, Trent Green and Melanie Collins: No changes
Yep, the top three broadcasting teams are all the same for 2023. CBS: “if it’s only slightly broken, don’t fix it.”
5
Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, Matt Ryan and AJ Ross: Greg Gumbel out, Adam Archuleta slid down a rung
Ross is the only holdover from CBS’s final second-tier lineup. Catalon and Barber get a bump up the pecking order and will share time with Ryan, entering the booth in his first season off the NFL gridiron since 2008. Gumbel will not be providing NFL play-by-play commentary in 2023, marking his first season without any pro football coverage — booth or pre-game shows — since 1988.
6
Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta: Take over for Catalon and James Lofton
Dedes and Archuleta have proven effective in the booth the same way an offensive lineman is effective. If you don’t really notice them, that means they’re doing a good job. It’s a bump down the lineup for Archuleta, the former first round draft pick.
7
Tom McCarthy, James Lofton and AJ Feely: McCarthy and Lofton swap in for Dedes
Another low-key shuffling you’ll notice for Chargers-Titans in Week 2.
8
Chris Lewis, Jason McCourty and Ross Tucker: Three newcomers join the mix
CBS has expanded its booth lineup from 18 full-time members to 21, creating space for an all-new third tier lineup. That means Lewis will be jumping up from the college ranks while McCourty goes from “Good Morning Football” appearances to a color position. He’ll share time with Tucker, who has expanded his analyst empire from a writing position at Sports Illustrated into television and radio over the past decade.
9
Amanda Guerra, Tiffany Blackmon and Justin Walters join as additional game reporters
They’ll be joined by holdovers Amanda Renner and Aditi Kinkhabwala to fill in as needed across the 18-week NFL regular season.
