Greg Olsen’s rise to announcing stardom is complete, even if his future with Fox might be uncertain.
During Sunday’s epic NFC title game between the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions, Olsen put on a clinic as the color commentator. He was eloquent, patient, and consistently added thoughtful insight to the matchup. Perhaps most importantly, Olsen ensured that his analysis was accessible because he understands that teaching the game to his audience by reaching it where it is is just as important as delivering any essential information. All in all, Olsen’s game might have been the color commentating performance from anyone this entire NFL season.
That’s what makes it so unfortunate he could leave Fox’s top announcing booth when Tom Brady finally steps in. Fox could, of course, elect to have a three-person booth, but plans for that have not yet been announced … if they even will be.
What is assured is that Olsen won’t be calling Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas in two weeks. That task will fall to CBS’s grating Tony Romo, who answers the question, “What if a golden retriever with no concept of object permanence wore a hands-free microphone while announcing a football game?”
We are missing out by not getting someone as bright as Olsen in the booth for the biggest American sporting event of the year. That’s for sure.
NFL fans loved Olsen's color commentating during 49ers-Lions on Sunday
Lots of terrific performances today but let’s appreciate greatness while we still have it: Greg Olsen talking about situational football pic.twitter.com/gNlbuHt6Jr
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) January 29, 2024
Best NFL analyst on TV isn’t a former QB or coach. It’s Greg Olsen.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 29, 2024
Greg Olsen accurately explaining a sift on empty protection https://t.co/kXiZmRj2T6 pic.twitter.com/SiR04tqFbg
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) January 29, 2024
Greg Olsen deserves all the praise he gets. He took advantage of a huge opportunity (Aikman to ESPN) and has become a terrific listen. Highest compliment a sports TV analyst can get? Do you learn something from his or her broadcast. He delivers that.
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) January 29, 2024
“It’s very easy to criticize the outcome, but I don’t think it takes away from it being the right decision. Dan Campbell has stayed true to that philosophy from day one, you can’t judge it just because it didn’t work, it’s the reason they got here.”
Greg Olsen is a king 👑
— Sam Hoppen (@SamHoppen) January 29, 2024
Greg Olsen is so damn good as an analyst. He prepares like crazy for every game and it’s clear in the broadcast. He knows each team and every player just as much as the game itself. A total star in the booth.
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) January 29, 2024
Greg Olsen putting on a masterclass in the booth right now 📺
— Darius Butler (@DariusJButler) January 29, 2024
Greg Olsen is the 1.01 color commentator in the NFL. He should be announcing every big game. pic.twitter.com/x7ARQ4ilNb
— Nick Whalen (@_NickWhalen) January 29, 2024
Greg Olsen is really a joy on commentary
— Jay Arnold (@CoachJayArnold) January 29, 2024
Greg Olsen, hat tip.
A-1 broadcast.
— jordan cornette (@jordancornette) January 29, 2024
Greg Olsen is such a fun broadcaster. Sport needs more like him.
— La Balrog Époque (@ManuclearBomb) January 29, 2024
Please don't let this be the last championship game we hear Greg Olsen call.
— John M. Bishop (@JohnBishop71) January 29, 2024
