You can roll out the red carpet, cue the spotlight, and still, you’d miss the real headline: two of Fox’s biggest sideline stars stealing the show off-camera. When Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson hit the “Calm Down” podcast stage this week, it wasn’t about game analysis—it was about celebration. From the moment they stepped into that studio, the vibe was equal parts heartwarming and headline-worthy.

Both known for chasing down quarterbacks and catching game-winning plays, they switched gears to honor something even bigger: friendship. Thompson, fresh from rumors swirling around her contract status, found herself on the receiving end of a birthday shout-out that packed more warmth than any locker-room hug.

Erin took to Instagram Stories to line up five photos of the two of them through the years, each captioned with a perfect two-word note. First came a snapshot of them grinning with “Happy Birthday @charissajthompson.” Next, a clip from their sideline days read “Beyond grateful.” Then came a sweet shot of them holding hands: “I get to do this life with you.” An image of their FOX NFL interview set was tagged simply “Love you!” and finally, a sun-drenched beach snap closed the loop with “Take me back.”

In the episode that dropped in February 2025, the duo got real about everything—from behind-the-scenes chaos to emotional moments. Erin Andrews even shared a sweet little story about how she comforted Travis Kelce after the game, giving fans a peek at the stuff that didn’t make the broadcast. Erin also grabbed a quick post-game chat with Jalen Hurts right after the Super Bowl, and let’s just say—it didn’t go unnoticed. It was raw, honest, and classic Erin and Charissa—exactly why fans love them, and by the end, it felt less like work and more like two best friends catching up. And now, the real question emerges…

Will Erin Andrews and Charissa carve new chapters at FOX?

Right after Super Bowl LIX wrapped in early February 2025, Erin and Charissa kicked off their Calm Down podcast by dropping a bombshell: Erin Andrews’s three-year Fox Sports deal quietly expired with the season’s end. She laughed about how she inked that contract back in July 2022 thinking nobody would notice, and now she admits she’s chatting with other networks—soaking up every sideline moment while she figures out her next move. Charissa wasn’t shy either. She gushed about how welcome her whole crew—Dad and her younger brother—felt during Super Bowl week in Vegas. That family-first vibe at Fox made her wonder aloud if she could ever walk away from that kind of support, even though her own contract is ticking down, too.

Both women enter the offseason without signed extensions—Thompson cleared the air on her podcast, insisting she’s not going anywhere. At the same time, Andrews hinted her deal “tied up after February” and winked that “new adventures might be brewing.” With Fox Sports reshuffling its studio lineup and veterans like Terry Bradshaw locked in through 2029, the network faces big decisions. Then came a heartfelt surprise: on February 16, Fox insider Peter Schrager shared a carousel of photos celebrating the broadcast team. 

Erin’s response—“Omg I’m crying”—popped up in the comments and let everyone see how much these goodbyes stung, even in the world of sports media. Meanwhile, Charissa’s been doubling down on her Amazon Thursday Night Football role, teasing fans that she’s only just getting warmed up. Erin, for her part, has hinted at exploring fresh avenues—maybe diving into feature stories or even hosting a Sunday-morning show. Both have said they adore the “family” feel at Fox, but neither has ruled out chasing something new.

With the offseason in full swing, both Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson stand at a crossroads. Will they lock in new deals at Fox and keep dominating sidelines together, or will one (or both) jump at a totally different opportunity? The contracts have expired, the offers are out there, and the next move is anyone’s guess.