NFL fans are making their feelings known after Nate Burleson revealed his long-term goal of taking over as host of The NFL Today on CBS. The former wide receiver, who joined the network in 2017 as a studio analyst, has been candid about his aspirations—and the reaction has been anything but supportive.
Burleson, who racked up 5,630 receiving yards during his playing days, has become a familiar face on CBS. He's a key part of The NFL Today and has co-hosted CBS Mornings since 2021. But in a recent interview with Front Office Sports, he admitted he'd like to eventually step into the host chair once James Brown decides to retire. Burleson made it clear he has no intention of pushing Brown out, saying, "I want James Brown around for as long as I can have him." He added, "I have learned so much... I want to keep learning from one of the greatest to ever do it."
That patience hasn't stopped fans from sounding off. Social media lit up with criticism after the interview was published. One fan wrote, "Oh God please no," citing Burleson's outfits and takes as reasons they already avoid CBS's NFL coverage. Another said, "Suffered through March Madness with him as host. This would suck." Others were more blunt, with comments like "Yeah that would be a no from me" and "Will definitely not watch it if Burleson replaces JB."
CBS has been grooming Burleson for a bigger role. Earlier this year, he filled in for Ernie Johnson as host of the network's NCAA Tournament coverage alongside TNT. According to Front Office Sports, that assignment was essentially a test run to see if Burleson could handle the spotlight when the time comes to replace Brown. The network has been quietly evaluating his potential as a future host for The NFL Today.
Burleson's ambitions aren't surprising given his rising profile. He's already a two-time Sports Emmy Award winner and has shown versatility across sports and morning television. But the fan backlash suggests that not everyone is ready to see him take the reins. Some viewers have even drawn comparisons to other network moves, like ESPN's recent shuffling of college football analysts, where promotions have also stirred debate.
For now, Burleson is content to wait. He's made it clear that he wants Brown to be the one to call him when the time comes, not anyone else. "I don't want a call from anybody else if I ever get that seat," he said. "I want J.B. to call me." That respect for the veteran host has earned him some goodwill, but it hasn't silenced the critics.
The question remains whether CBS will ultimately hand Burleson the keys to The NFL Today. The network has invested heavily in his development, but fan sentiment could play a role in the decision. In a media landscape where audience reaction matters more than ever, Burleson's path to the host chair might be rockier than he anticipated.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: Burleson's ambitions have struck a nerve. Whether he can win over the skeptics or CBS will look elsewhere remains to be seen. For now, fans are making sure their voices are heard—loud and clear.
