Many people generally agree that fans do not watch football games for the announcers, and that sentiment held true until Sunday. The Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns matchup on Fox Sports drew significant attention largely due to Tom Brady’s debut as a broadcaster.
It’s no surprise that NFL games suck up viewership; in 2023, 93 of the 100 most-watched TV shows were football-related. However, Brady’s first game as an analyst was noteworthy as he is often regarded as the greatest quarterback in NFL history. The Cowboys secured a 33-17 win, but the game itself was not particularly exciting. Brady, who appeared somewhat nervous at the start, adjusted as the game progressed.
Reactions on social media were swift, with users quick to criticize Brady. One humorous post early in the game declared, “I don’t want to overreact to week 1 but Tom Brady is the worst announcer in the NFL.”
Having had my share of disastrous announcing experiences, I recognize that this was Brady’s first live call of an NFL game. Such initial performances can often improve over time, and it may be premature to judge him harshly after just one outing.
Fox has reportedly invested $375 million in Brady over ten years, which raises expectations for his performance. His placement as the lead analyst alongside Kevin Burkhardt led to the demotion of Greg Olsen, who is widely regarded as one of the top in the field.
Fox made a significant effort to promote Brady’s transition, featuring a dramatic commercial that included younger versions of him questioning his decision to return to broadcasting. This added to the anticipation surrounding his debut.
Given Fox’s investment, expectations were naturally high for Brady to deliver a solid performance. Football fans would have enjoyed hearing more personal stories about his experience under Bill Belichick during the Patriots’ Super Bowl-winning seasons. Unfortunately, insider insights were limited, with one notable moment coming in the fourth quarter when Brady lightly remarked on Belichick’s tough coaching style.
Brady often leaned on clichés during the broadcast. He repeatedly used the Telestrator to highlight Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons without providing any new or insightful context. One observation about negative plays was true but rather obvious: “Negative plays hurt you so much in football.”
Despite his well-known work ethic, Brady’s preparation cannot replace the experience of live broadcasting. In terms of whether Brady is worth Fox’s hefty investment, the answer is likely no; no one commands such value. The real question is whether he was worth bumping Olsen from the top team. Given that Olsen has proven himself capable, the answer leans toward no. Brady showed he can handle the role competently, but the night was more about the hype than a notable performance.