Kirk Herbstreit may have secured his place in Amazon Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” booth, but his latest deal comes with one major catch. While the veteran analyst is set to continue calling NFL games, Amazon has made sure it can change if its broadcasting target suddenly becomes available.
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“The terms give Amazon flexibility to move on if one of its top targets, like Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay, becomes available, according to sources briefed on the decision who were not authorized to speak publicly,” The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported Wednesday.
According to The Athletic’s reports, the new agreement is worth more than eight figures and spans multiple seasons, although its exact timeline is not confirmed publicly. That provides the analyst with some security, as he was entering the final year of his previous contract. Similarly, his ESPN deal is also in its final year. However, ESPN has made it clear that it will not address his contract situation until the college football season ends.
Amazon has pursued the Los Angeles Rams‘ head coach before. In 2022, the company was interested in McVay as it presented its “Thursday Night Football” broadcast team, with reports at the time showing that Amazon had offered him a big broadcasting opportunity.
“After winning the Super Bowl in 2022, top Prime Video sports executives prepared an offer in the neighborhood of $20 million per year for McVay, but he re-signed to coach the Rams,” Marchand added.
But McVay chose to remain on the sidelines in Los Angeles. McVay’s name keeps popping up in the broadcasting world because of his offensive background, communication skills, and experience as one of the NFL’s most elite head coaches.
The 40-year-old coach is not currently a broadcasting candidate, though. The Rams signed him to a multiyear contract extension in February 2026, keeping him tied to the franchise even after the season. Still, Amazon is not willing to give up on the possibility of McVay leaving the Rams.
Herbstreit has also become a familiar voice alongside Al Michaels on “Thursday Night Football,” breaking down game plays during one of Amazon’s most prominent weekly sports properties. Amazon signed Michaels to a three-year agreement in 2022, and now he remains on a year-to-year contract.
Interestingly, McVay is not the only name Amazon could consider. Reports have pointed to other figures who could attract interest if they become available, including Travis Kelce and Greg Olsen, as per The Athletic.
Herbstreit’s job security at Amazon comes with an unusual escape hatch. Because Sean McVay remains committed to coaching the Rams, Amazon’s top target isn’t an immediate threat to Herbstreit’s role. In short, he may have McVay to thank for keeping his seat safe for now.