Who Will Be the NFL's TV Stars by 2026? Analyzing Quarterbacks with Media Futures

An interesting dynamic is brewing in the NFL media landscape, with multiple TV slots being vacated by former quarterbacks. Matt Ryan recently left CBS Sports for a prominent role in the Falcons’ front office, and Michael Vick departed his role on Fox NFL Kickoff before last season to coach Norfolk State.

Fox did not name a permanent replacement, and filled some of Vick’s time by sliding in a rotating cast from its top-rated Fox NFL Sunday pregame show. Factor in NBC’s apparent shakeup of Football Night In America, and there are plenty of spots to fill across the NFL TV landscape this offseason.

Matthew Stafford, a Super Bowl winner with Los Angeles cachet, is seen as the gold standard of quarterbacks with TV futures. In 2024, Stafford appeared on Fox’s pregame show during the Rams’ bye week. Nevertheless, the 38-year-old is still playing at the top of his game; he just won the league’s MVP award this past season.

At this point, there’s no reason to think he won’t be running it back with the Rams in 2026.

Kirk Cousins, 37, remains a free agent after his release from the Falcons. He told Jon Gruden recently that he feels “rejuvenated” and is looking for an opportunity to start next season. He worked as a guest analyst for CBS during this past postseason.

Cousins has earned over $300 million in his playing career, so it will be interesting to gauge if he ultimately finds a TV deal that he feels is worth his while.

Jameis Winston has been all over the place in media, doing various roles for Fox Sports over the past couple of years and even appearing on Netflix’s MLB Opening Night telecast on Wednesday. Nevertheless, he is only 32 years old and remains under contract with the Giants through the 2026 season.

While interest in Aaron Rodgers was surprisingly little following a disappointing season with the Jets, his stock has rebounded after leading the Steelers to the playoffs in 2025. Rodgers, 42, could be a Joe Rogan-style host, creating three-hour digital shows about whatever interests him at the time.

He has not made a decision about playing next season, but new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy has expressed interest in a reunion.

Joe Flacco, who just signed a one-year deal with the Bengals worth up to $9 million, would be a solid analyst for TV networks after he hangs up his cleats. He won a Super Bowl with the Ravens and has thrown for nearly 50,000 yards in the regular season in his career.

He also has a fun personality and wit.

Russell Wilson is the quarterback on this list who would be most likely to be available for a media job right now. He has been on four teams in the last five seasons and is not expected to draw significant money in a backup role.

Nevertheless, at the end of this past season, he said he couldn’t envision a scenario where he doesn’t play in 2026. Wilson worked with CBS during the Giants’ bye week last season.