JJ Watt was never the type to sit on the sidelines for long. I mean, he literally had to tackle a question about whether he’s too busy to have a personal life. His response? “I have the rest of my life to do what I want with my time. Right now, I am a football player, and I will sacrifice whatever is necessary to be the best.” ‘Best’ depends on your perspective. But he was some force to be reckoned with. Terrorizing QBs for fun. JJ spent nine seasons in Houston – earning three Defensive Player of the Year awards. And he ended his career on a high, with 120.5 sacks.

Like he said, he did do what he wanted to do with his time, stepped into the TV world. Killed it there, as well. So now, he’s trading the studio desk for the commentary booth, and the billion-dollar company, that is the CBS, isn’t rushing to fill his seat. Instead, the network is rolling with a two-man expansion—Nate Burleson and Matt Ryan. If you were expecting a flashy replacement, think again. CBS is keeping it simple, at least for now.

And let’s be real—JJ Watt’s move to the booth isn’t exactly a shocker. His Christmas Day call alongside Ian Eagle and Burleson got fans buzzing. “JJ crushed it,” and “Outstanding performance” were the most common of praises. The reviews weren’t just good; they were the kind that make execs take notice. Plus, with Gary Danielson retiring, CBS saw a prime opportunity. Why not give Watt more reps in the booth and let Burleson shine in the studio? It’s a win-win—unless, of course, you were hoping for a big-name addition to The NFL Today.

But CBS isn’t the only network shaking things up. Over at Good Morning Football, Peter Schrager’s departure leaves a major void. Schrager wasn’t just another analyst; he was the show’s draft guru, the guy who always had inside scoops. ESPN wasted no time snatching him up, with Dan Orlovsky calling it a home-run move: “ESPN got better with this addition. Peter is great in all facets.”

Then, there’s Fox’s dilemma—who replaces Jimmy Johnson on Fox NFL Sunday? The 81-year-old coaching legend has been a part-time presence, but now, it seems like the network is ready for a fresh face.

So, back to CBS—no JJ Watt replacement, at least not yet. Could they hold out for a big name to retire? Maybe. Let’s not ignore the elephant in the room—Travis Kelce. If the Chiefs’ star calls it quits, all the needy ones, including Fox and CBS, could be all over him. They love big names, and Kelce fits that mold perfectly.

But for now, it’s the Nate and Matt show. Watt, meanwhile, is gunning for the booth. And who knows, CBS might be quietly hoping for more game day numbers.

At least, JJ Watt knew how to run the show

J.J. Watt never just played the game—he owned it. And now, he’s about to bring that same dominance to the broadcast booth. CBS Sports has drafted the future Hall of Famer as their newest game analyst, pairing him with veteran play-by-play star Ian Eagle for the 2025 season. Watt spent the last two years in the studio, but let’s be honest—a role behind a desk wasn’t him. Now, he’s back where he belongs: in the middle of the action.

And let’s talk about that pairing. Ian Eagle isn’t just any broadcaster—he’s a CBS cornerstone, a voice fans trust. He’s been calling games since 1998 and will be leading the men’s Final Four and national championship coverage this weekend. Watt knows the significance of this opportunity. “There is nothing better than the energy and excitement of being in the stadium on game day in the NFL,” he said. And he’s right.

From the field to the studio and now back to the field (well, sort of), Watt has been testing the media waters for a while. He’s done commercials, movie appearances, and, of course, CBS studio work. But there’s something different about being in the booth on game day. “I certainly miss delivering hits on the field,” Watt joked, “but it will be nice to leave the stadium without taking any, unless Ian decides to try something crazy.” Sounds like Watt’s already got the broadcaster humor locked in.

He’ll be stepping into a role previously held by Charles Davis, who’s moving on to become CBS’ lead college football analyst in 2026. But make no mistake—Watt isn’t just filling a seat. He’s bringing star power, deep football knowledge, and, most importantly, that unmistakable JJ Watt presence.

So, if you thought retirement meant Watt would quietly fade into the background, think again. The man doesn’t sit out—he just finds a new way to dominate.