Ahead of its first ever NFL game broadcast, streaming giant Netflix has signed on some major talent for its studio coverage of two Christmas Day games.
Former Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, ESPN analyst Mina Kimes, NFL Network’s Manti Te’o and former NBC analyst Drew Brees are all set to provide analysis in pre-game and post-game shows as well as downtime between the action, according to Michael McCarthy of FrontOfficeSports. Griffin confirmed the news via his own social media.
The studio shows are expected to be led by FanDuel’s Kay Adams, who will guide the analysts through their coverage of the Kansas City Chiefs vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers in the early game, followed by the Baltimore Ravens vs. the Houston Texans.
FOS previously reported that Brees and NFL RedZone host Scott Hanson would also be involved in the broadcast in some way.
As for who will be calling the games, the Chiefs-Steelers tilt will be helmed by veteran CBS play-by-play voice Ian Eagle alongside former players Nate Burleson and J.J. Watt.
Ian’s son, NBC college football play-by-play voice Noah Eagle, is set to call the Ravens-Texans game alongside Fox color commentator Greg Olsen.
Robert Griffin III (top L), Mina Kimes (top R), Drew Brees (bottom L) and Manti Te’o (bottom R) have been named analysts on pre- and post-game shows for Netflix’s Christmas NFL games
FanDuel’s Kay Adams will be hosting the shows before, between, and after the two contests
The father-son duo of Ian Eagle (L) and Noah Eagle (R) will handle play-by-play duties
Griffin was laid off from ESPN in a cost-cutting move back in August in a decision that caught him and many NFL fans by surprise. Since then, he has pivoted to his own content creation.
Kimes has been a writer at ESPN since 2014 and has been one of the voices for the network’s daily pro football show ‘NFL Live’ since 2020. She’s also done color commentary work for the Los Angeles Chargers’ preseason games.
Te’o, a former Heisman runner-up at Notre Dame, joined the NFL Network this season following an eight-year NFL career.
Brees was hired by NBC after his retirement in 2021, but only lasted one season with the network after joining play-by-play man Mike Tirico in the booth.
The streaming giant paid a reported $150million for the two games that will be played on a Wednesday. While they will handle the distribution, production of the two games will be handled by CBS Sports, according to USA Today.
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