With kickoff for the next slate of Thursday Night Football just around the corner, Amazon Prime Video has made a major commitment to its broadcast booth — while quietly laying the groundwork for a potential future shake-up.
Kirk Herbstreit, the voice fans know from ESPN's College GameDay, has inked a new deal with Prime Video that secures his spot as the color analyst for years to come. According to Andrew Marchand of The Athletic, the contract is a multi-year extension worth eight figures annually, and it includes some intriguing outs for Amazon.
Herbstreit has been paired with legendary play-by-play man Al Michaels since the 2022 season. While their chemistry hasn't always been electric, they've built a solid rapport that has anchored Amazon's NFL coverage. Michaels, now 81, has transitioned from his original three-year deal to year-to-year agreements, and he's been open about knowing when it's time to step away.
That's where the plan gets interesting. Sources say Prime Video's new contract with Herbstreit gives the streamer flexibility to pursue Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay as a future replacement. McVay has long been a rumored target for Amazon — back in 2025, there was chatter about a five-year, $100 million offer. While he remains committed to coaching the Rams, McVay has hinted he won't be on the sideline forever.
"I know I love football and I'm so invested in this thing and I'm in the moment right now," McVay said. "But at some point, too, if you said what do you want to be able to do? I want to be able to have a family and I want to be able to spend time with them."
Those words have fueled speculation that McVay could eventually trade his headset for a microphone. If he does, he'd bring a sharp football mind and a charismatic presence that would fit perfectly in the broadcast booth. And with Herbstreit's deal including those outs, Amazon is clearly keeping its options open.
For now, though, the focus remains on the upcoming season. Herbstreit and Michaels will be back for what could be another memorable run of Thursday night matchups. The partnership has been a steady presence for NFL fans on Prime Video, even as the broadcast landscape continues to evolve.
Whether McVay ever makes the jump remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Amazon is thinking ahead. The Herbstreit extension secures the present, while the McVay contingency plans for the future. It's a savvy move that keeps the booth strong no matter what happens down the road.
