Kyle Long Joins CBS Sports’ “The NFL Today” with Russell Wilson

It seems Russell Wilson isn’t alone in launching a new chapter at CBS. The network revealed on Thursday that Kyle Long will be teaming up with Wilson as a studio analyst on “The NFL Today,” CBS Sports’ flagship pregame show. They’ll join hosts Nate Burleson, Bill Cowher, and James Brown in front of the camera.

Long, who began his journey with CBS Sports back in 2020, made appearances on the show last season and is now stepping in as a full-time member. In addition to their roles on “The NFL Today,” both former athletes will provide analysis for CBS Sports’ digital NFL pregame presentation, which is accessible on Paramount+, CBS Sports HQ, and through the NFL ON CBS YouTube channel.

This week, the former Giants quarterback—who also announced his own shift into media—joined Burleson on “CBS Morning” to share the news of Long’s promotion.

“A great quarterback needs a great lineman in front of him, and we have the best lineman to do it. We welcome another new member to the NFL Today team, Chicago Bears legend Kyle Long,” Burleson said.

Long made a point to greet everyone on the “CBS Morning” team warmly and even patted Wilson on the back.

“This is what Nate is all about. I listened to Russell talk about his transition from player to media, and honestly, I felt like, ‘Oh my god, we don’t have a team anymore. Where are my real friends?’ But now, we get to spend Sundays together,” Long remarked, gesturing toward Burleson. “Plus, we have Russell, who I’ve known since I was 14.”

Interestingly, both grew up in Virginia where they played baseball and football together. Wilson, originally from Cincinnati, mostly grew up in Richmond, while Long hails from Ivy, Virginia.

As Long humorously pointed out, “I never tackled him in football. He was just too fast for me.” Reflecting on his journey, he added, “This is everything I could have wished for while watching my dad in the studio.” He reminisced about sitting on James Brown’s lap in 1994, realizing this was his dream. “CBS has really embraced me and now I get to do this every Sunday,” he said.

Long, a first-round draft pick and three-time Pro Bowler for the Bears, has already been a studio and game analyst for various CBS platforms. This experience will surely help Wilson, who is completely new to this media role after his 14 years in the NFL.

During the broadcast, Wilson was also asked about his emotional farewell message to the NFL, which he shared on social media. “I wanted to express how much this game has meant to me,” he explained, describing it as “an obsession. A love.” Wilson touched upon memories from his childhood, recalling moments spent with his father and brother throwing around footballs. He also reflected on significant milestones, like being the second Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl, and expressed gratitude to his family and to Coach Pete Carroll, who played a crucial role in his career.

Wilson’s tenure with the Seahawks lasted a decade, during which he led them to eight playoff appearances and their first Super Bowl title in 2014. Following that, he played two seasons with the Broncos and one with the Steelers before wrapping up his NFL career with the Giants.