Behind The Mic: Troy Aikman to be Free Agent Following Super Bowl LXI as Negotiations Continue

Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, including new deals, departures, and assignments compiled from press releases and reports around the industry. In this week's edition, JJ Watt named lead analyst on NFL on CBS', DAZN snags Teddy Atlas to join the broadcast booth for Big Time Boxing Broadcast; and more.

Comedian Matt Friend to Join Prime Video's Thursday Night Football, Introducing the Friend Zone With Matt Friend

Prime Video announced that comedian and impressionist Matt Friend will join TNF Nightcap, part of Prime Video's Thursday Night Football (TNF) postgame show, as a recurring contributor in a new comedy segment, The Friend Zonewith Matt Friend. Debuting October 22 following the Patriots vs. Bears matchup, The Friend Zone with Matt Friend will bring the spirit of late-night comedy to Thursday nights with original sketches, celebrity impressions and Friend's comedic take on sports and entertainment.

Thursday Night Football is one of the biggest stages in sports, and I can't wait to bring even more fun to the night, said Friend. I know and love the game of football, and with The Friend Zone, I'm bringing my comedic perspective to select Thursday nights through original sketches, impressions, and a few surprises along the way. Getting to kick things off in my hometown of Chicago makes it even better.

A Chicago native, Friend, 28, graduated from New York University's Gallatin School in 2020. He has built a massive following with his celebrity impressions, including Donald Trump, Barack Obama, Jeff Goldblum, Howard Stern, Bill Maher, JD Vance, King Charles, and more, amassing over 6 million followers on social media. Friend has become a sought-after personality from his presence across major cultural events, including the Golden Globes, the Academy Awards, Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, the Mark Twain Prize, and F1, among others. In addition to touring his frequently sold-out stand-up comedy act across North America and Europe over the past three years, Friend also created and starred in his political comedy special, America Laughs With Matt Friend, for CNN in April 2026.

Matt Friend brings a rare mix of sharp comedy and real sports knowledge, and he delivers it in a way that feels like part of the Thursday night experience, said Spoon Daftary, Senior Coordinating Producer, Prime Video. Having him join us is a great opportunity to give our viewers something fresh and unexpected, and I think fans are going to love what he brings to the show.

Comedian Nikki Glaser was part of TNF Nightcap in 2024, making five appearances with her popular Late Hits segment following her breakout performance at Netflix's The Roast of Tom Brady.

JJ Watt Named Lead Analyst for The NFL on CBS'

Future Hall of Famer and current CBS Sports announcer JJ Watt has been named lead analyst for the NFL ON CBS in a new multi-year agreement. The announcement was made today by David Berson, Chairman, Global Sports Group, Skydance.

Watt will continue to call the Network's top games alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson as CBS Sports' lead NFL announce team, including next season when they call Super Bowl LXII in Atlanta.

I've had a front-row seat to JJ's growth as a top-tier broadcaster, watching him tackle this role just like he did his hall-of-fame playing career, said Berson. He's insightful, entertaining, passionate, meticulous in his preparation, and the ultimate teammate. He has a unique ability to see things and communicate to fans of all levels. We are thrilled to have him leading our NFL coverage.

I am incredibly honored and grateful to have the opportunity to represent CBS Sports and all of the fantastic people who make this place so special, said Watt. From the brotherhood of THE NFL TODAY to my crews calling games, I couldn't ask for better teammates alongside me on this television journey. I am thankful to David Berson for his leadership, vision and trust. I love this job and can't wait to see ya Sunday with Jim and Tracy and many more Sundays to come!

Watt joined CBS Sports in 2023 as a studio analyst on THE NFL TODAY. Last season, Watt moved to the booth to call games with Ian Eagle and Evan Washburn. At the start of the 2026 season, he began calling games with the Network's lead team, working with Nantz and Wolfson.

Watt was a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and was honored as the 2017 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. He was inducted into the Houston Texans Ring of Honor in 2023. Drafted by Houston in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin (No. 11 overall), Watt played 12 NFL seasons with the Texans (2011-20) and Arizona Cardinals (2021-22). A five-time NFL First-Team All Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection, he is the only player in NFL history to record multiple seasons with at least 20 sacks and finished his career with 114.5 sacks.

Hall of Fame Broadcaster Teddy Atlas to Join as Expert Analyst on Salita Promotions Big Time Boxing Broadcast Saturday, Nov. 7 Live on DAZN

International Boxing Hall of Fame broadcaster Teddy Atlas will serve as the expert analyst on the Salita Promotions Big Time Boxing broadcast on Saturday, Nov. 7 live exclusively on DAZN at 8 p.m. ET. Atlas will comment on the four-fight broadcast headlined by Abraham Perez's homecoming title defense against Yankiel Rivera from Albuquerque's Kiva Auditorium.

Atlas will call the fights alongside long-time respected play-by-play voice Brian Custer and reporter and podcast host Naji Grampus. The Executive Producer of Big Time Boxing is Eric Drath, with Rich Gaughan producing and Jeff Clarke directing the presentation from Albuquerque.

Atlas is one of the most recognizable voices in the sport and has called boxing for more than 50 years on ESPN, ABC and beyond. O

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2026/10/26/behind-the-mic-troy-aikman-to-b...
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