Amazon Prime Video has locked in Kirk Herbstreit for “Thursday Night Football” beyond the 2026 season, but the move doesn’t sound like a simple one-name, one-role commitment.
The reported extension keeps the longtime college football voice in Amazon’s NFL booth, yet it also gives the network room to pivot if a different high-profile option opens up. According to Andrew Marchand of The Athletic, one name that could fit that bill is Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay.
Amazon had already chased McVay once before. After he guided the Rams to a Super Bowl win in early 2022, the network reportedly made a push for him, with the offer said to be worth about $20 million a year. McVay passed and stayed in Los Angeles.
That wasn’t the end of the story. The next year, after a rough Rams season, McVay was reportedly interested in television work. By then, though, Amazon had already gone with Herbstreit as its lead analyst.
Now the reported structure of Herbstreit’s new deal keeps that door cracked open. If McVay or another target becomes available, Amazon can revisit the idea.
Herbstreit’s own future adds another layer. He is also entering the final year of his contract with ESPN, where he remains a major presence on “College GameDay.”
That leaves Herbstreit with several possible paths after 2026. He could stay with Amazon full time, keep his college football focus, split time between both jobs, or move on from one or both networks.
And if Amazon decides to make a change, it has other names it could explore. Travis Kelce, Troy Aikman and Greg Olsen have all reportedly been considered, along with other analysts who wouldn’t have to juggle both college and pro football.
For now, Herbstreit is still lined up to call “Thursday Night Football.” But the reported flexibility in Amazon’s agreement means the booth could look a lot different when the 2027 season rolls around.
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