Al Michaels has called some of the biggest moments in NFL history, but Thursday Night Football wasn’t one of them. The 80-year-old broadcaster struggled through the Eagles-Giants primetime clash, making some embarrassing errors that left fans wondering if it’s time for him to retire.
Sep 11, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; General view of the Amazon Prime Thursday Night Football logo on a microphone prior to the game between the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Sep 11, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; General view of the Amazon Prime Thursday Night Football logo on a microphone prior to the game between the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Al Michaels’ Embarrassing NFL Slip-Up on Live Forces Him to Correct Himself Immediately
Michaels kicked off the Giants upset win over Eagles but made a critical blunder in the middle of his commentary. While discussing Saquon Barkley’s move to the Eagles, the legendary broadcaster accidentally called it a trade.
“And then, the trade. The infamous deal. Off he went to Philadelphia of all places,” Michaels stated during the first quarter.
Problem is, Barkley wasn’t traded. The star running back walked as a free agent in 2024 after contract talks with Big Blue fell apart.
Michaels caught himself quickly and issued a correction, stating, “I said a trade; he signed as a free agent. The Giants only wish they’d gotten something for him.”
The last line he stated adds significance because the Giants literally got nothing for losing their best offensive weapon to a division rival.
“And then, the trade. The infamous deal. Off he went to Philadelphia of all places.” – Al Michaels on Saquon Barkley joining the Eagles
Michaels corrected himself shortly after: “I said a trade; he signed as a free agent. The Giants only wish they’d gotten something for him.” pic.twitter.com/AZIVyVtqxJ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 10, 2025
Barkley signed a three-year, $37.75 million deal with the Eagles after spending six seasons with the Giants. The exit remains one of the most painful exits in recent franchise history.
Michaels’ on-air slip was absolutely not intentional given the context. In a new Prime Video documentary titled “Saquon” revealed that Barkley asked for a trade in July 2023, but owner John Mara chose to hold him until the trade deadline. It eventually forced him to walk away as a free agent.
So technically, there almost was a trade.
NFL Fans Roast Al Michaels After Repeated On-Air Mistakes About Saquon Barkley
The Prime Video announcer repeatedly referred to Barkley’s move as a trade throughout the first half. Each time, viewers got frustrated, and they wasted no time to torch the Hall of Fame broadcaster.
One fan bluntly wrote, “Just retire man.”
Another pointed out the pattern, remarking, “He just called it a trade again after correcting himself.”
A third viewer noted the technical inaccuracy and said, “They got a comp pick. 3rd rounder I believe.”
A fourth commenter highlighted the repetition, penning, “He just said it again.”
The fifth added, “Then he said it AGAIN!”
Michaels’ recent performances have raised significant eyebrows recently. Just a week earlier during the 49ers-Rams TNF broadcast, viewers called out struggles with accuracy and energy.
Michaels has been calling NFL games since 1971. His resume includes nearly three decades with ABC’s Monday Night Football and 15 years on NBC’s Sunday Night Football. But age catches everyone eventually. Even legends.
Michaels remains under contract with Amazon through 2026. Whether this becomes a defining moment or just another forgotten flub depends on what comes next.