Get ready for a brand-new look to your Sunday night football ritual. NBC is reportedly gearing up for a significant shakeup of its iconic 'Football Night in America' pregame show, with multiple high-profile personalities expected to exit the broadcast booth.
A Legendary Figure Likely Exits Stage Left
According to a report from Andrew Marchand of The Athletic, Hall of Fame coach and longtime analyst Tony Dungy is likely to be removed from the program after an impressive 17-season run. Dungy, a Super Bowl-winning head coach, has been a cornerstone of the network's NFL coverage, providing insightful analysis and a steady presence for nearly two decades.
Marchand's report indicates this move is one of the first in what is anticipated to be a comprehensive revamp of the show. While 'Football Night in America' consistently ranks as the highest-rated Sunday pregame program, NBC appears determined to inject new energy and a fresh perspective into its flagship NFL studio show.
Not a Solo Departure
The changes won't stop with Dungy. A separate report from Awful Announcing, detailed by Drew Lerner, suggests the shakeup will be much broader. Analyst Rodney Harrison is also unlikely to return next season, and the role of host Jac Collinsworth is reportedly under serious review.
This trio—Dungy, Harrison, and Collinsworth—has formed the core of the show's traveling satellite studio, which sets up on-site at each Sunday Night Football game throughout the season. Their potential simultaneous departure signals a complete reset for the on-air team.
Internal Frustration Brews
Adding a layer of drama to the business decisions, Lerner's report notes growing frustration within the 'Football Night in America' team itself. Sources indicate that some individuals involved with the show are learning about these potential seismic changes through media reports rather than through direct communication from NBC management.
This disconnect suggests the network is moving swiftly and decisively, perhaps catching even its own talent off guard as it plots a new course for one of its most valuable sports properties.
Why Now for a Change?
The timing of this overhaul is strategic. The show, while successful, has long benefited from its prime scheduling slot, airing between the late afternoon games on CBS and Fox and NBC's own Sunday night matchup. This built-in audience provides a solid foundation, but NBC seems eager to build something new atop it, aiming to capture viewers with a revitalized format and fresh faces as the network looks toward the 2026 season and beyond.
As of now, NBC has not made any official public statements regarding the reported changes. The silence from 30 Rockefeller Plaza only fuels speculation about the scale and scope of what's to come. Will the entire set be redesigned? Will new interactive segments be introduced? Who will step into these prominent broadcasting roles?
What's Next for Sunday Nights?
The potential departure of such established figures marks the end of an era for NFL broadcasting. Tony Dungy's calm, principled analysis and Rodney Harrison's hard-hitting, former-player perspective have defined the pregame show for a generation of fans. Replacing that chemistry and credibility will be NBC's greatest challenge.
One thing is clear: the sidelines of Sunday Night Football are about to look very different. As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on NBC to see which new voices will guide fans into the night's premier matchup. The network is betting that change, however jarring, will lead to renewed excitement and viewer engagement for its cornerstone NFL broadcast.
