J.J. Watt preparing for new prominent role on CBS NFL coverage

CBS Sports is set to begin its 66th season broadcasting the National Football League, and while most of its commentary teams have remained the same, a prominent new voice is joining the fold.

J.J. Watt, a three-time NFL defensive player of the year and five-time Pro Bowl selection, will take his insights from the studio to the booth this season as a color commentator, working alongside veteran play-by-play announcer Ian Eagle throughout the season on the network’s #2 broadcast team. The promotion is a significant career shift for the 36-year-old, who joined CBS in 2023.

“One of the main reasons I’m so excited to do it is because I’m with Ian Eagle — he’s one of the best in the business,” Watt said at the “NFL on CBS” Media Day this week. “Our chemistry has been great. We’re really looking forward to getting in the booth, having a lot of fun together, explaining the game, but also doing it in a fun, enjoyable way that hopefully comes through for the fans.”

Throughout the offseason, Watt and Eagle have stayed in communication and have already had a chance to get familiar with each other’s sense of humor. But Eagle, who has called NFL games for CBS Sports over the last 27 years, says that Watt will bring considerable knowledge and preparation to the broadcast as well.

“[A]ny time you work with an analyst that is focused on maximizing their abilities, I’m all in,” Eagle said. “Part of my job is to help him get to that place, and me and Evan Washburn and our production team, it’s all about cohesion and collaboration, so that’s how it’s going to look.”

Watt compared his preparation for broadcasting to the film study in which he participated during his playing career. He arrives with the perspective of having worked in the studio on “The NFL Today” for the previous two seasons alongside longtime broadcasters such as James Brown, Bill Cowher and Nate Burleson.

“He’s a talent, he’s going to do very well, and he doesn’t mind expressing an opinion that he honestly feels and holds that may be contrary to popular opinion and the like. But he will cause you think, and certainly looking at what he has done at the NFL level and prior to, [he’s] one of the all-time greats,” Brown said. “He’s going to be okay.”

Jim Nantz and Tony Romo are entering their ninth season working together on the lead broadcast team for the “NFL on CBS.” The duo has called three Super Bowl championship games together, but Watt’s promotion has understandably triggered some question about whether the network already has a succession plan in place. Watt says he is staying focused on the present.

“Right now, I’m just looking forward to this season and seeing how it all goes and how much I enjoy it and working with Ian and being back in stadiums, being around the atmosphere and the energy,” Watt said. “I honestly have no idea what the long-term goals or plans are. I’m just looking forward to the season.”

Rather than replacing Watt on “The NFL Today,” CBS Sports opted to stay with a four-person cast that also features former NFL quarterback Matt Ryan. Brown said that it is a positive on both sides of the equation — with both Watt and his former studio colleagues having a bit more room to express their thoughts.

“I’m sure one of the things you’ve noticed in the evolution of pregame shows — man, they would grow by the numbers,” Brown said. “There might be four, there might be five, sometimes six people on the show. How can you really have enough time to get your thoughts out to express yourself and the reasons why? So we’re excited about this.”

Watt is stepping into a role occupied by former Tennessee defensive back Charles Davis for the past five seasons. Davis is continuing to participate in CBS NFL broadcasts as he prepares to become its lead college football analyst upon the retirement of Gary Danielson at the conclusion of the season. Rather than working with Eagle and Washburn this year, he will be part of a four-person broadcast team that features Andrew Catalon, Jason McCourty and AJ Ross.

“Charles prepares like nobody else,” Eagle said. “He views this as a 365-day job, and whatever assignment he’s given, he will be on top of it, and his passion for the game and his ability to connect with others will be on display. He’s a special broadcaster, special person. It will be a great fit — that’ll be in 2026, so excited for him.”