Thanksgiving night brings a unique twist to the NFL schedule this year, with NBC hosting a highly anticipated game that diverges from the expected lineup. Typically, the Thanksgiving night matchup is a production of the NFL Network or Amazon Prime Video, but this year, NBC’s Sunday Night Football crew will take the reins — albeit with a notable absence.
Cris Collinsworth, the long-time color commentator renowned for his insights and analysis, will not be joining Mike Tirico in the booth for this festive game. The reason? Collinsworth has made it a tradition to take Thanksgiving off in order to spend quality time with his family. This marks a continued pattern, as he has chosen to forgo broadcasting on this holiday in recent years as well.
In Collinsworth’s absence, Jason Garrett will step up to partner with Tirico for the evening. Garrett, best known as the former head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, typically serves as a studio analyst for NBC’s Sunday Night Football broadcasts. His experience and familiarity with the game make him a fitting temporary replacement as he joins Tirico to call the action.
As fans gather around their televisions for Thanksgiving feasts, the game is sure to provide a thrilling backdrop to the holiday festivities. With this lineup and the excitement of live football, viewers can look forward to an engaging evening.