Could FOX consider surprising move when Tom Brady joins coverage?

Aug 26, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Former NFL player Tom Brady on the field before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Las Vegas Raiders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady is expected to begin his broadcast career with FOX next season, but it remains to be seen what changes the network will make to accommodate his arrival. The wide-ranging assumption has been that Greg Olsen will be demoted once the seven-time Super Bowl champion enters the mix, but is there a chance the two could work together instead?

In his latest column for Sports Illustrated, Jimmy Traina ran through a number of scenarios that could unfold when Brady goes to work for FOX. One of the more intriguing ones involves Brady joining Olsen and play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt rather than replacing the former Pro Bowl tight end.

As Traina notes, Olsen has been very popular on FOX’s No. 1 team. FOX executives could decide that they do not want to bump Olsen down but rather try a three-man booth with Olsen, Brady and Burkhardt for 2024. That would allow FOX to avoid the potential backlash from demoting Olsen. It would also take some pressure off of Brady.

ESPN has used a three-person both many times for “Monday Night Football,” though the reviews were always mixed. It would be risky for FOX to go that route, especially if Brady wound up being the one who did not fit in.

Brady has a $375 million contract with FOX, so he is going to be the priority. Some doubted if he would ever even go through with the job, but he seems quite enthusiastic about it.