Longtime Commentator To Step Down From NFL Coverage In 2023

For more than three decades, NFL fans have heard the voice of Greg Gumbel when they've tuned into CBS' coverage of the league, whether as a play-by-play commentator or in studio.

That will not be the case come next fall.

While Gumbel signed a contract extension with CBS, according to John Ourand of Sports Business Journal, he will give up his NFL duties starting next season. He will, however, continue to host the network's NCAA men's basketball studio show.

Gumbel, 76, has been calling NFL games for more than three decades. He became the first Black person to call a Super Bowl broadcast when he did so in 2001 and 2004.

Gumbel served as CBS' top play-by-play commentator alongside Phil Simms from 1998-2003. After a brief stint as the host of the network's NFL Today studio show, he returned to the broadcast booth, where he has called games alongside a variety of partners since 2006.

Gumbel is making the opposite move of Jim Nantz, another longtime CBS play-by-play commentator who announced that this year will be his last calling the NCAA Tournament. Nantz will focus on NFL and PGA Tour coverage moving forward.

Congrats to Gumbel on an incredible run calling the NFL. It's good to hear he will remain a staple of March Madness coverage in the future.