CBS recently announced that JJ Watt will debut his new No. 2 NFL analysts' opener against the Steelers on September 7.
But wait, there's more: Watt and drama partner Ian Eagle will warm up on August 22 with the Jets' preseason finale against the Hawks and see it locally on WCBS-TV.
Eagle and Watt confirmed that the unannounced news was held for journalists in Manhattan Tuesday at the CBS annual NFL Pre Pre Kickoff event.
Even though they reported on last Christmas against Netflix’s Kansas City Pittsburgh game, the August 22 match will still begin their CBS pairing. Watt was previously a studio analyst for the network.
“It’s going to be an explosion,” Watt told News Day.
Is he nervous about the latest twist in his post-career career?
“No, because I have Ian as my partner, he is one of the best people in the business,” he said. “We had a great rapport. We had a great time together.”
“He's very particulars. All he wants is to do is succeed. So I don't think it's any difference to JJ Watt who prepares and becomes a Hall of Fame performer, and JJ Watt is JJ Watt who wants to be the best broadcaster in the business.”
Hawk joked, adding, “I might teach him something about exercise and how to heal his body. It's good. It's part. Trials and errors. I know he won't be able to do what I do. Eventually he'll get there physically.”
Watt said Netflix’s game made him interested in the longer form of game analysts than the fast-shooting studio show. He also likes to return to the stadium on the day of the game.
How does Watt think of Jets’ new coach Aaron Glenn?
“I think he's clearly established the identity of the program,” Watt said. “He's trying to do that in his own perspective, it's very disciplined, very hard.
“I do think it will translate into a team in the team that fans are proud of. I'm not saying that it will translate into a bunch of wins right away, but I do think that fans will be proud of the team's team.”
CBS remains a “big fan” of Tiki
While Watt's addition to the Hawks' team was the biggest news in the CBS' announcement of the roster this season, there was also a notable departure.
Since 2019, CBS analyst Tiki Barber will not be part of the 2025 network team, but will be a Giant Games report for pre- and post-match hosts.
“We are big fans of Tiki,” CBS Sports President David Berson told News Day. “He is also an important part of the CBS team's NFL, and it's an important part of our radio show.
“We are always constantly looking for opportunities for different people. Tiki has some good opportunities… There are really not many opportunities, but I have a lot of great things to say about him.”
Watt's addition to the second booth led to Charles Davis moving to the barber shop along with Andrew Catalon and Jason McCourty.
“We moved around, but it's not because one person came in,” Besson said. [Barber] No longer with us. We rejoin our team every year. ”
Notes and quotes
CBS will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the modern version of “NFL Today” on September 21, which includes the “Throwback” program, which includes old-fashioned graphics and music, and the appearance of original host Brent Musburger, now 86. . . CBS will premiere a digital-only show called “NFL Today+” that will be shown Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon. . . CBS will use its “NFL Today” group to narrate the highlights in Sunday's game, but instead deploy Adam Schein from a dedicated studio to complete the task.
Neil Best first worked on Newsday in 1982, returned to Alaska in 1985, and has been here since, specializing in high school, college basketball, the NFL and more recently sports media and business.