Rising Star Kyle Long Steps into the NFL Booth for Chiefs-Raiders on CBS
A rising star in the NFL media landscape is about to make his mark as a game announcer. CBS has announced its broadcaster assignments for Week 18 of the NFL season, and three-time Pro Bowl selection Kyle Long has been chosen to call the action between the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders alongside play-by-play announcer Chris Lewis and sideline reporter Tiffany Blackmon. This marks Long's first time calling an NFL game from the booth, and it's an exciting opportunity for the young talent.
The game itself, while not carrying any playoff implications, provides the perfect environment for Long to showcase his skills. This season, Long has been a key figure in CBS's new digital-exclusive pregame show, 'The NFL Today+,' where he has been joined by Matt Ryan, Antonio Pierce, and host Amanda Guerra. Long's previous experience as a studio analyst for 'That Other Pregame Show' has prepared him well for this role, and he also hosts the popular 'Pushing the Pile' podcast with Mike Renner and JP Acosta.
This assignment is a significant step in Long's broadcasting career. While movement in a network's top booths is rare, there is often more turnover in the fifth, sixth, and seventh positions. CBS's sixth broadcast team this year, for instance, featured Tom McCarthy and Ross Tucker, but just a year prior, Jay Feely served as a third man on that team. The network's seventh team is not a permanent fixture, rotating between Beth Mowins and Lewis for play-by-play, with Logan Ryan as the game analyst.
Long's performance this week will be crucial in determining his future in the booth. If he excels, he could find himself in a more prominent role next season, with the potential to move up the ranks and become a regular fixture in CBS's broadcasting lineup.
