When Fox Sports signed Tom Brady to a 10-year, $375 million contract to lead its NFL booth, it meant that the network was prepared to demote then-lead analyst Greg Olsen to a regional broadcast team.
Now, this wouldn’t have been a huge deal if Olsen had struggled in the booth, but the former tight end was a rising star as a broadcaster and arguably the best color commentator working right now.
Last week, Olsen spoke about that frustration of being demoted, and he acknowledged that his goal is to be back in a national booth somewhere. Those remarks were taken by some as a shot at Brady, but on Thursday, Olsen made the point to set the record straight.
Greg Olsen sets the record straight on Tom Brady @gmfb pic.twitter.com/ZdVFPl6gTS
— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) February 6, 2025
Speaking to NFL Network from New Orleans, Olsen clarified that he has no personal animosity towards Brady and has gone out of his way to help Brady as much as he can in this new role.
Olsen said:
“I’ve talked to Tom regularly throughout the season. We’ve gotten to know each other really well. I have a ton of respect for him, which goes without saying, as a player. But I’ve really enjoyed getting to know him as a guy since he’s joined Fox. So, this whole narrative of I hate watching him call games and all that is not true. So, here I am, on national TV … setting the record: I have no personal (animosity). I like Tom. I want to see him. I’ve tried to help him. I answer questions to the best that I can help. But I want to see him do well.”
As Olsen explained, he can root for his own personal success without it being at the expense of Brady. While there isn’t an open job currently in a lead booth, Olsen will likely be a network’s first call when a vacancy does come about.
