Josh Allen open to broadcasting but needs more thought first
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen told CNBC Sport he would entertain a broadcasting career after football but has not committed. Allen said he needs to put more thought into the idea because he is uneasy about former players acting like journalists and criticizing others the way he once resented as a player.
Eight years into his NFL career, Allen remains in his prime. Still, the 30-year-old told CNBC's Alex Sherman that retirement planning is never far from mind in a league where careers can end without warning. His comments have reignited debate about whether star quarterbacks should follow peers into the TV booth.
Key Takeaways
- Josh Allen told CNBC Sport he would "entertain" broadcasting after the NFL but cannot say yes or no yet.
- Allen wants analysis kept to a "strictly broadcasting angle" and avoids player-to-journalist criticism he disliked as a QB.
- Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Tony Romo, and Troy Aikman are among quarterbacks who moved into major TV roles.
- Allen also has a Skydance Sports content deal, giving him post-football options beyond the booth.
- NBC Sports' Mike Florio argues prime broadcast slots pay well and keep former stars close to the game.
What did Josh Allen say about broadcasting?
In a July 9 interview with CNBC Sport, Allen said a post-NFL broadcasting job would be "cool" if he can keep it from a strictly broadcasting angle. "I do think that it would be something I would entertain," he said. "I can't say for sure 'yes' or for sure 'no' right now, because I do go back and forth on it. But yeah, I'd have to put some more thought into it."
The Bills star announced a business partnership with sleep-aid brand Natrol during the same CNBC Sport conversation. That deal underscores how Allen is building off-field ventures while still playing, not waiting until retirement to explore media and business.
Why is Allen hesitant about criticizing players?
Allen told Sherman that the line gets "murky" when players become journalists and repeat critiques they hated hearing in the locker room. CNBC Sport noted similar reservations from Joe Montana, who said broadcasters often judge plays without knowing assignments or reads that only players and coaches see.
Writing for NBC Sports, Mike Florio pushed back gently on that concern. He argued NFL game analysts explain what is happening on the field rather than acting as investigative journalists. The skill, Florio wrote, is criticizing the play without attacking the player — a balance Allen's experience could help him navigate.
Who has already made the quarterback-to-TV jump?
Allen name-checked a growing club of former signal-callers in major media roles, including Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, Tony Romo, and Troy Aikman. CNBC Sport reported that broadcasting can be highly lucrative; Brady signed a reported 10-year, $375 million deal with Fox.
Opportunities now extend beyond traditional booths. Peyton and Eli Manning host an alternative "Monday Night Football" broadcast for ESPN. Cam Newton has expanded his ESPN role, and Dan Orlovsky co-hosts "NFL Live." Studio paths taken by Dan Marino, Terry Bradshaw, and others can also demand sharper "hot takes" for attention.
What other post-football paths is Allen exploring?
Awful Announcing reported that Allen signed a development deal with Skydance Sports to produce scripted, unscripted, and branded content. That gives him a media footprint that does not require weekly on-air judgment of active players.
Whether Allen ultimately enters broadcasting may depend on doing it on his own terms. For now, he remains focused on Buffalo while the industry watches another elite quarterback weigh life after football. More on how sports and media are converging is in our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage. Full remarks are in the CNBC Sport interview and NBC Sports analysis.