Tom Brady answers big question about his role with FOX

January 31, 2024

Read

Sep 20, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) in the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady remains on track to join FOX as an analyst for the 2024 NFL season, but the legendary quarterback will not being do so alongside Greg Olsen.

Before he retired from playing, Brady signed a 10-year, $375 million deal with FOX. The plan has been for him to become the network’s lead NFL analyst, and Brady told Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports on Tuesday that there has been no change to that plan.

Brady said he has already been working with Kevin Burkhardt and is looking forward to joining FOX’s lead play-by-play announcer in the booth next season. There has been some speculation that Brady and Burkhardt could form a three-man booth with current lead analyst Greg Olsen, but the seven-time Super Bowl champion told McCarthy that will not be the arrangement.

“I believe I can provide a pretty unique perspective that I think a lot of people will really like,” Brady said. “It’s going to be a lot of hard work. It’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s always about challenging yourself to grow in different areas. And this is certainly one way that I’m doing it.”

Brady also had high praise for Olsen, saying the former tight end has “done an incredible job” and is going to continue to be successful.

In an interview of his own on Tuesday, Olsen confirmed that Brady is going to replace him on FOX’s top broadcast team next season. Olsen said he has known of that plan since Olsen took the FOX job in 2021. He also left his own future up in the air and did not openly say he will be working with FOX’s No. 2 team next season.

Olsen has been widely praised for the job he has done alongside Burkhardt. That is why he was smart to accept the position even if he knew it would not last. Olsen will have more options going forward than he would have otherwise had if he passed on the temporary gig.