The 2026 NFL Season’s 13 Most Intriguing Media Personalities

The 2026 NFL season is just around the corner, and fans will be treated to the return of their beloved sport on the small screen. With the season set to kick off on September 9, between the Seahawks and Patriots, let's take a closer look at the 13 most intriguing personalities set to grace the airwaves in the coming year.

Tony Romo, CBS Sports' analyst, finds himself in a precarious situation as he works through a legal battle stemming from a recent OWI charge. Despite the complications, Romo is determined to return to CBS at an unspecified date, and his potential return could be a game-changer for the network. The CBS brass are wary of the impact such a move could have on their brand image, but the allure of having such a high-profile commentator could be too strong to resist.

Kirk Herbstreit, ESPN's top college analyst, is set to enter the free-agent market at the end of the 2026 season. With three current contracts expiring, Herbstreit is contemplating his next move. His grueling schedule, traveling the world to call games for three different platforms, may tempt him to take a step back, but his loyalty to ESPN and his love for working with Pat McAfee on College GameDay could keep him in the fold.

Al Michaels, the 81-year-old legend of NFL media, remains as sharp as ever. If Herbstreit departs after a five-year stint on TNF, Michaels may take his place, creating a dynamic duo at ESPN. Greg Olsen, who currently holds the No. 2 spot at Fox, could rise to the top spot at Prime, pushing Travis Kelce or Sean McVay out of the way. However, the competition for these coveted positions would be fierce.

Dianna Russini, the former senior NFL reporter for The Athletic, is set to make a comeback in the sports media world. While her future with The Athletic remains uncertain, it's highly likely that she will join Barstool Sports as a personality, rather than a reporter. Michael Silver, her former colleague at The Athletic, believes that Russini will be back in the realm of sports talk sooner rather than later.

Pat McAfee, a household name in NFL media, is about to take center stage as he joins Scott Van Pelt's Monday Night Countdown studio show. McAfee's ability to dominate the show or play a supporting role remains to be seen, but his "Field Pass" during Super Sunday is sure to be a highlight of the season. Elle Duncan, ESPN's host of Netflix's sporting events, is poised to lead coverage of another big event - the NFL's first-ever regular-season game in Australia on September 10.

Troy Aikman and Joe Buck, ESPN's veteran analysts, have their contracts up for renewal following this season. With the network's NFL broadcast booth having undergone a makeover, it's a no-brainer that Aikman and Buck are being courted to re-sign with the team and continue their successful partnership.