The NFL is entering its fifth week of the 2022 regular season, beginning with the "Thursday Night Football" meeting between the Colts and Broncos.
Fans who followed the "TNF" broadcast from NFL Network or Fox to Amazon Prime have enjoyed listening to legendary play-by-play announcer Al Michaels. Missing from the broadcast, however, is his longtime "Sunday Night Football" partner, Cris Collinsworth.
The latter's absence from the "TNF" broadcast is a multifaceted situation. It stems from Michaels' contract ending at NBC following Super Bowl 56. Michaels became one of the biggest free agents of the NFL offseason, with Amazon — the winning bidder for "TNF" broadcasts — picking him up.
The tradeoff? Michaels is no longer paired with Collinsworth, who remains with NBC. Michaels' new partner is Kirk Herbstreit, whom most fans know for his analysis of the college game.
MORE: How much will Al Michaels make in 'Thursday Night Football' contract?
The Sporting News looks at the events that helped bring Michaels to the "Thursday Night Football" broadcast and separate from Collinsworth:
Why isn't Cris Collinsworth calling games with Al Michaels?
Collinsworth isn't calling "Thursday Night Football" alongside Michaels because the former doesn't have a contract with Amazon, which holds the broadcast rights to the game.
Instead, he remains with NBC, which he initially joined in 1990, left in 1998 and returned to in 2006 — the same year the network took over "Sunday Night Football" from ESPN. Three years later, Collinsworth replaced legendary coach and commentator John Madden on the "SNF" broadcast to pair with Michaels, who had held the play-by-play role since 2006.
Collinsworth reportedly was negotiating a contract in December 2021 that would pay him $12.5 million annually through 2025 to remain on the "SNF" broadcast at NBC, ending rumors that Collinsworth would follow Michaels to Amazon.
Andrew Marchand of the New York Post reported that Collinsworth was Michaels' top choice to join him in the "TNF" booth, but they were unable to reunite as NBC retained Collinsworth. Amazon then reportedly targeted Fox's Troy Aikman to join him; that was thwarted with ESPN's signing of Aikman and Joe Buck to call "Monday Night Football" games.
MORE: Why Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit teamed up for 'TNF' broadcasts
Why did Al Michaels leave NBC?
Money, mostly. With Michaels' NBC deal ending, Amazon was primed to swoop in with an offer he couldn't refuse: $15 million to $16 million annually on a three-year contract.
Who is Al Michaels' broadcast partner on 'Thursday Night Football'?
After Amazon failed in its attempts to sign Collinsworth and Aikman, it went with Herbstreit, whom many football fans know best from his role as an analyst on ESPN.
Because his "TNF" assignment does not interfere with his college work for ESPN's "College GameDay" or ABC's "Saturday Night Football," Herbstreit is able to also work for Amazon.
Herbstreit reportedly shied away from working NFL games because he never played in the league, something that caused him to think fans may question his credibility. However, Herbstreit wowed NFL viewers on a "Monday Night Football" call with Chris Fowler and again in a Saturday night NFL doubleheader in January.
MORE: How Herbstreit will juggle Amazon, 'GameDay' in 2022
Amazon clearly did not have any such concerns, judging by its press release announcing the pairing.
"The hiring of an experienced duo in Michaels and Herbstreit aims to show Prime Video's commitment to providing the same kind of viewing experience NFL fans have been accustomed to on network television," the statement read.
Herbstreit told the Post that he is excited to give fans the same viewing experience as they have come to expect from him on college games.
“It's going to be an incredible broadcast," Herbstreit said, "and I’m going to do everything I can to hold up my end of the bargain and try to make it one of the best booths in television."
MORE: Collinsworth explains why the 'Collinsworth Slide' is no more
Will Cris Collinsworth, Al Michaels ever call games again?
It's possible Collinsworth and Michaels will call NFL games again, though not as frequently as in previous seasons.
Michaels' contract with NBC may have ended following Super Bowl 56, but his status as one of football's most respected voices allowed him to keep an "emeritus" role with NBC Sports. That means he will work NBC broadcasts of high-profile events, including the NFL playoffs, the Olympics and, presumably, "Sunday Night Football."
“Revered by viewers and colleagues, Al has been the soundtrack for many of the greatest moments in sports television history,” NBC Sports chairman Pete Bevacqua said in a statement. “We are thrilled that he’s staying in the family and raising the stature of our events for years to come.”
Said Michaels of the arrangement:
“I’m looking forward to continuing my longtime NBC relationship while also launching the 'Thursday Night Football' package on Amazon this fall. A special thanks to NBC Sports Chairman Pete Bevacqua and the folks at NBCUniversal for their help in making this happen."
For now, NBC's "SNF" broadcast will consist of Collinsworth and Mike Tirico, Michaels' replacement. If NBC deems an event big enough for Michaels to fill in, he will do so in somewhat of a role reversal with Tirico. Since Tirico's move to NBC in 2016, he filled in for Michaels whenever Michaels had a week off.
As for what games might warrant a return by Michaels, they include two wild-card games and one divisional-round game in the 2023 NFL playoffs. The season may also produce enticing "Sunday Night Football" matchups, as well.
