CBS Sports’ announcing lineup is undergoing some massive shifts.
The network announced Wednesday that lead college football analyst Gary Danielson will retire following the 2025 season, and he’ll be replaced by Charles Davis, who called the CBS’ No. 2 NFL package alongside Ian Eagle. Stepping into Davis’ former role is JJ Watt, who was an analyst on the studio show ‘NFL Today’ and will now be stepping into the broadcast booth full-time starting this upcoming season.
CBS said Davis will remain a part of the NFL game-calling crew in 2025 but did not specify his role.
Watt and Eagle worked together on Netflix (produced by CBS Sports) during the Christmas Day game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs. Watt was part of a revamped ‘NFL Today’ that includes Nate Burleson, Matt Ryan, Bill Cowher and is hosted by James Brown.
Shortly after the news was first reported by The Athletic on Wednesday, Watt began hyping his new role on social media. In a statement, he said ‘there is nothing better than the energy and excitement of being in the stadium on game day in the NFL.’
‘I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to return to that atmosphere each week, working with one of the best in Ian,’ the former Houston Texan and Arizona Cardinal said in the statement. ‘While I certainly miss delivering hits on the field, it will be nice to leave the stadium without taking any, unless Ian decides to try something crazy.’
The 2025 season will be Danielson’s 20th at CBS and his 36th as a college football color commentator. In a statement, he said the ‘timing just feels right’ for him to move on, as the network enters its second season of airing the Big Ten conference’s premier game each Saturday. Previously, CBS’ mid-afternoon slot was dedicated to the Southeastern Conference and now airs on ESPN platforms.
For many Saturdays in the fall, it was Verne Lundquist and Danielson who had the best seat in the house for that weekend’s most intriguing matchup. Lundquist retired from calling college football in 2016 and Brad Nessler has since worked with Danielson on the assignment.
“Gary Danielson is simply one of the greatest college football analysts ever. And an even better teammate,” CBS Sports president and CEO David Berson said in a statement. “Gary cares more about uplifting others and ensuring the team receives all the accolades. During his 20 years here, he helped propel CBS Sports to the gold standard in college football coverage. We can’t thank him enough; he will always be part of the CBS Sports family and wish him the best in retirement.”