Fox is racing to keep its dream team intact – and Tom Brady‘s just one piece of the puzzle. Behind the scenes, the network’s fighting to lock down two of its most recognizable faces. The same stars who’ve been delivering must-watch NFL coverage for years. These aren’t just any contract talks; this is Fox protecting its crown jewels from rival networks. This isn’t just routine contract stuff. We’re talking serious defensive plays against rival networks circling Fox’s talent. And the timing? Suspiciously good. These deals are coming together just as whispers grow louder about a changing of the guard at Fox Sports.

So, what’s the scoop? Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson – the dynamic duo who’ve been part of Fox’s NFL family through multiple eras – just inked major new deals to stay put. This isn’t just contract paperwork; it’s Fox protecting its crown jewels from rivals hungry for star power. Andrews, who’s been side-by-side with Brady on Fox’s top NFL crew, was nearing free agency for the first time in years. But she’s not going anywhere. The network already teased her return, casually dropping her face in a promo graphic next to Tom Brady and the crew like it was never in doubt.

Meanwhile, Thompson, the dual-threat host juggling NFL Kickoff on Fox and Thursday Night Football on Amazon, has been shutting down exit rumors for months. “No, I’m not leaving FOX. I was never leaving FOX,” she told Andrews on their Calm Down podcast, laughing off family drama about her job status. “I want to die on Pico Boulevard,” she joked, calling Fox her longest relationship.

These deals aren’t just about loyalty – they’re about stability. With Tom Brady still finding his rhythm in the booth, Fox needs its A-team to keep the machine running smoothly. Andrews’s sharp sideline reporting and Thompson’s whip-smart hosting anchor the network’s coverage, whether it’s Sunday afternoons or prime-time showdowns. And with Bradshaw’s retirement looming, keeping these two in the fold sends a clear message: Fox’s new era might look different, but it’ll still pack star power.

The leather couches on Fox NFL Sunday’s set have seen more history than most stadiums. 31 seasons of laughter, Lombardi trophies, and Terry Bradshaw’s cowboy hats. While Fox celebrates locking down Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson, the real story unfolds in the shadows of their iconic studio. Jimmy Johnson‘s retirement this March was just the first domino. The 81-year-old coach’s exit was marked with an AI tribute so emotional it upstaged the actual Super Bowl.

Now Terry Bradshaw, the show’s rambunctious soul since 1994, is mapping his exit like a QB planning his final drive. “I told my wife…I’ve got two years left,” the 76-year-old confessed. “If we get to the next Super Bowl, I’ll be 80. That’s pushing it.” His co-pilot, Howie Long, still loves their locker-room vibe – “They pay us to fly and stay in hotels – the rest we’d do for free” – but even that magic can’t stop time’s march.

The changes hit harder when Laura Okmin, the third-most tenured sideline reporter in NFL history, turned down a new contract to train women through her GALvanize program. Her moment of truth came holding the unsigned papers: “It’s time,” she realized before calling her boss, Jacob Ullman. “I’m happy to say he was very surprised…It was a nice call, because I got to have it with my boss and my friend.”

Meanwhile, the remaining crew – straight-man host Curt Menefee, sharp-dressed Michael Strahan, insider Jay Glazer, and wildcard Gronk – now face their toughest assignment: maintaining the show’s soul through transition. Fox is preparing for this seismic shift. They’ve stacked next season’s schedule with a record 11 doubleheaders. And a Chiefs-Eagles Super Bowl rematch, betting big on the product even as the faces change.

The network’s playing the long game. Locking down stars like Andrews and Thompson for continuity while quietly reshuffling its legendary pregame show. One thing’s certain: when Bradshaw finally says goodbye, it’ll mark the end of NFL TV’s last great old-school crew. The question isn’t if Fox will rebuild, but whether lightning can strike twice.