With NFL broadcasts experiencing a game of musical chairs before the 2022 season started, some new TV partnerships and booth assignments will take some time for fans to get used to. Take Joe Buck and Troy Aikman calling games on ESPN for Monday Night Football as one example.
A completely fresh and new pairing for the 2022 season is Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit working Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime. Michaels had previously been the long-time play-by-play for Sunday Night Football, while Herbstreit still works for ESPN as their lead color commentator for college football games.
Thursday night saw Michaels and Herbstreit make their respective debuts on Amazon together for a huge matchup between the Chiefs (-4.5) and Chargers:
Al Michaels. @KirkHerbstreit.
THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING.
🏈: @Chargers vs. @Chiefs#TNFonPrime | Watch NOW on @PrimeVideo pic.twitter.com/kyq9TBOlMQ
— NFL On Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) September 16, 2022
Phew, man. Now that I think about it seeing Michaels and Herbstreit in the booth for an NFL game together is indeed kind of weird. I’m sure it’ll take no time for Herbstreit to ingratiate himself as a full-time NFL analyst, but it’s just not something you’re used to at first watch.