The CW Announces All-New Host Panel For 'Inside The NFL'

 
As Inside the NFL moves to The CW, who rescued the long-running series after Paramount+ dropped it in June, it is most definitely going to look very different when it premieres on Tuesday, September 5 at 8 PM. 

Already having debuted a new logo, The CW and NFL Films have set an all-new cast of former NFL players to make up the panel for this iteration of the studio series, which breaks down previously unseen National Football League highlights and features exclusive NFL Films mic’d-up sounds from the week’s matchups. 

Ryan Clark, a Super Bowl champion safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers who also played for the New York Giants and Washington Redskins from 2002-2014, comes from ESPN and will also be part of their Monday Night Football crew this season. He will be the new host of Inside the NFL, and will be joined by four analysts: Pro Bowl ex-Chicago Bears (and others) quarterback Jay Cutler, Pro Bowl wide receiver from 2001-2012 best known for his years with the Cincinnati Bengals Chad Johnson, former Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder and two-time Super Bowl champion defensive end and Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award winner Chris Long. Long played with the St. Louis Rams from 2008-2015 before winning his two Super Bowls back to back with the New England Patriots (the comeback against the Atlanta Falcons from 28-3 to win 34-28) and the Philadelphia Eagles. After one more season with the Eagles, he won his Man of the Year and retired.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ryan, Channing, Jay, Chad and Chris to The CW family as we prepare Inside the NFL for its broadcast television debut,” said The CW Network president Dennis Miller. “Not only do they all possess a deep understanding, knowledge and passion for the game, but they also bring a unique sense of humor and fun to the table. Plus, they are not afraid to voice their opinions on any topic. This season of Inside the NFL will be a must-watch for all football fans.”

Ross Ketover, who is senior executive at NFL Films and executive producer of Inside the NFL said: “We are so proud that Inside the NFL has been loved and consumed by football fans for an incredible 47 years. Now having this show on broadcast television for the first time, with our new partners at The CW, everyone at NFL Films is unbelievably excited to refresh and reinvent this tentpole franchise.”   

When the series was on Paramount+, the panel was built from CBS Sports's roster, as many of the configurations had been over the Showtime era. Starting with the 2019 season, the panel consisted of host James Brown and analysts Phil Simms, Ray Lewis, and Brandon Marshall, the latter three also being former NFL players. Former New England Patriots running back Julian Edelman joining for the two Paramount+ seasons. The fact that it's a complete panel reset could mean Nexstar didn't want to bring them over, they couldn't bring them over because CBS Sports ceased involvement in production, or couldn't afford to due to expenses or contractual limitations. After all, Kirk Herbstreit is pulling double duty with Amazon's NFL coverage and continuing with ESPN in all those capacities.

Inside the NFL debuted in 1977 on HBO and ran there until 2008, moving to Showtime until it moved again to Paramount+. Now with the CW, it's therefore the series's first time on network television. Pat Kelleher and Keith Cossrow also serve as executive producers.

Source: Deadline