NFL media check-in: Who's out, in and staying on TV

NFL franchises haven't been the only teams making acquisitions and moving on from veterans. 

NFL rights holders have recently cut prominent names and competed against each other to sign the most highly prized broadcasting free agents to hit the market.  

Here is a look at key additions and departures for NFL's media rights holders four months before the 2024 regular season begins:

CBS

How much it is paying (per Washington Post): $2.1 billion for the AFC package through 2033.

"The NFL Today": Phil Simms and Boomer Esiason are out after 26 and 22 years, respectively. They will be replaced on the long-running Sunday staple by former Falcons QB Matt Ryan. 

Ryan, who served as a color commentator on the network last season, officially retired recently, ending speculation that he might return to the field.

Host James Brown, Nate Burleson and Bill Cowher recently signed contract extensions and are returning. J.J. Watt — the former Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans star — will continue in a part-time role.

ESPN

How much it is paying: $2.7 billion for the "Monday Night Football" package through 2033.

"Monday Night Countdown": Highly sought for TV, Jason Kelce, who retired in March after a 13-year career as center for the Philadelphia Eagles, will be joining ESPN as a studio analyst for "Monday Night Countdown." Host Scott Van Pelt and analysts Ryan Clark and Marcus Spears are returning for their second season together. 

"Manningcast": The Athletic's Andrew Marchand reported highly sought Bill Belichick, the longtime Patriots coach and future Hall of Famer, will join Peyton and Eli Manning as a recurring guest on "Manningcast," the alternate "MNF" broadcast on ESPN2. 

The nature of Belichick's role has yet to be announced, but the Manning brothers are committing to a recurring guest, a first for them. No matter how high-profile their previous guests were, from a former president to actors, no one has appeared more than once during a "Manningcast" season.

In addition to adding Belichick, Omaha Productions, Peyton Manning's production company, recently signed a nine-year extension with ESPN.  

FOX

How much is it paying: $2.2 billion for the NFC package through 2033.

The GOAT enters the booth: Despite signing a 10-year, $375 million contract in May 2022, Tom Brady had doubters who questioned whether he would ever move into broadcasting. Some uncertainty stemmed from his inability to close the door on his playing career, an issue that is still percolating.

More puzzling was why the most accomplished NFL player of all time, a man who won seven Super Bowl titles and made $330 million during a 23-year NFL playing career, would want to move into a job he's never done and which will take up a lot of his free time.

Prominent media members continue to doubt his commitment. But after taking a year off, Brady is stepping into the No. 1 broadcast booth alongside Kevin Burkhardt.