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Tom Brady’s $375m contract cost Greg Olsen his job, now fan favorite is part of Fox Sports broadcasting shakeup

Tom Brady’s $375m contract cost Greg Olsen his job, now fan favorite is part of Fox Sports broadcasting shakeup

Jennifer Rogers
Jennifer Rogers
Posted underSports

Tom Brady’s blockbuster 10-year, $375 million contract with Fox Sports is shaking up the world of sports broadcasting, and one of the first casualties appears to be fan-favorite Greg Olsen. After the iconic quarterback signed his deal during the offseason, it was clear that Brady was destined to join Fox’s No. 1 play-by-play broadcaster Kevin Burkhardt, taking over Olsen’s position in the network’s top broadcast team.

Olsen, a former NFL tight end turned Emmy-winning broadcaster, has been with Fox since 2021 and quickly became a favorite among viewers. Many fans believe he was unfairly moved aside to make room for Brady, especially given Olsen’s consistent quality in the booth. Brady, despite his early struggles to find the right broadcasting tone, seems to have adjusted as the season progresses, but the transition has not been smooth for everyone.

Olsen has now been paired with Joe Davis in Fox’s No. 2 team, but another reshuffle in Week 5 saw versatile announcer Jason Benetti step in for Davis, who was busy calling the MLB playoffs. Benetti and Olsen were tasked with calling the Cleveland Browns’ loss to the Washington Commanders, and the chemistry between the two was palpable.

Fans immediately took notice of the strong rapport between Olsen and Benetti. Social media quickly lit up with praise for the duo, with many fans calling for Fox to promote them to the No. 1 team, ahead of Brady and Burkhardt.

“Why aren’t @jasonbenetti and @gregolsen88 the primary booth? What a duo,” one fan tweeted.

Another fan echoed the sentiment: “Jason Benetti and Greg Olsen sound like they’ve been doing NFL games together for 10 years. Impressive level of chemistry for a temporary outfit.”

Many were quick to point out the natural fit between the two, with comments like, “Jason Benetti-Greg Olsen broadcast booth as A team as it gets for a non A team duo.”

Benetti, who has extensive experience covering a variety of sports for Fox, including baseball, basketball, and college football, quickly earned praise from NFL viewers. “We need Benetti on more NFL games,” one viewer commented, reflecting the sentiment of many who want to see more of the new pairing.

During the game, Benetti and Olsen showcased their growing familiarity with each other, particularly in one memorable exchange when the Commanders decided to go for it on fourth-and-two.

“You going for this?” Benetti asked as the play unfolded.

“I am. I’m aggressive by nature. Jason, I know we haven’t worked a lot together,” Olsen replied, showing his bold approach to analyzing the game.

“I can tell. It comes through the TV,” Benetti quipped back, showcasing the quick-witted chemistry between the two.

The pair’s height difference—Olsen standing at 6-foot-5 and Benetti at 5-foot-11—also added to the dynamic, and fans enjoyed watching the contrasting duo work together on the broadcast.

Despite the strong performance of the Olsen-Benetti team, Olsen’s move to the No. 2 spot is seen as a demotion by many. However, some fans believe it could also be an opportunity for Olsen to continue working with talented broadcasters like Benetti.

“Even though it kind of sucks that Olsen was ‘demoted,’ he’s working with some amazing announcers this year,” one fan suggested, acknowledging that Fox’s deep roster of announcers means Olsen is still in good company.

Nevertheless, it’s hard to ignore that Olsen’s shift was largely influenced by Fox’s major investment in Tom Brady. Fox reportedly spent over $37 million a year on Brady, and they won’t use him as a backup. As Brady grows more comfortable in his new role, it’s clear that Fox is betting on his star power and football acumen to deliver in the No. 1 booth, even if fans are divided on whether he’s the best fit.

As the season progresses, fans will be watching to see how Fox handles its broadcasting teams. While Brady and Burkhardt are the marquee duo, Olsen and Benetti’s strong performance in Week 5 has sparked calls for the network to reconsider its lineup.

Brady, a football legend, brings an unmatched depth of experience to the booth, but his inexperience as a broadcaster has been a learning curve. Olsen, on the other hand, has already proven himself as a sharp analyst with a strong on-air presence, making his relegation to the No. 2 spot bittersweet for many fans.

Regardless of where Olsen lands in the long term, it’s clear that he remains a beloved figure in the booth, and the chemistry he has found with Benetti could open new doors for both announcers in the future. As one fan put it, “Only time will tell, but Benetti and Olsen deserve more NFL games together—they’re magic.”

For now, Tom Brady is still adjusting to his role in the spotlight off the field, while Greg Olsen continues to show why he was so valued in Fox’s top booth. The shakeup at Fox Sports has left fans wondering what the future holds, but one thing is certain: both Olsen and Brady are integral to the network’s evolving broadcast landscape.