Hall of Famer Tony Dungy is no longer expected to serve as a regular on 'Football Night in America' as NBC's pregame show gears up for a massive shakeup
13:18 ET, 26 Feb 2026
Tony Dungy stands on the field
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Tony Dungy is no longer expected to be a regular on Football Night in America(Image: Getty Images)
NBC’s “Football Night in America” is slated to undergo a massive shakeup headlined by Hall of Famer Tony Dungy’s looming departure.
According to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, Dungy — who drew backlash while refusing to disclose whether he voted for Bill Belichick to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame — is “likely out as a regular” on NBC’s NFL pregame show. His reported exit following 17 seasons is just the tip of the iceberg, with the network’s top brass additionally considering taking 'Football Night in America’ fully on the road and drastically reducing the cast.
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As of writing, no decisions surrounding the program have been finalized, with Dungy’s ousting hardly set in stone. NBC could give the former NFL head coach an “emeritus” role, similar to the title that Bob Costas and Al Michaels previously received.
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Per Marchand, several of NBC’s on-air talents are actively seeking new deals after their contracts ended following Super Bowl LX.
The ‘Football Night in America’ cast actively features Dungy, Rodney Harrison, Devin McCourty, Jason Garrett and Chris Simms, in addition to host Maria Taylor, reporter Jac Collinsworth, insider Mike Florio and fantasy football expert Matthew Berry.
Over the last couple seasons, Dungy has provided commentary on a satellite studio alongside Harrison and Collinsworth. While making an appearance on the ‘OSL Podcast’ last June, the 70-year-old acknowledged that it wouldn’t be long before he hangs up the mic.
“I’m retired now from football, and I’m broadcasting,” Dungy said at the time. “I’m probably gonna retire from broadcasting in a year or two here.
Tony Dungy stands on the field
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Tony Dungy drew backlash after refusing to share if he voted for Bill Belichick to enter the Hall of Fame(Image: Getty Images)
“But I am jostling with myself. What can I do to be significant? What does the Lord got for me that really can make a difference? I don’t know what that is, but that’s what I’m on the lookout for.”
More recently, Dungy drew unwanted attention during Super Bowl week after declining to share his ballot for the Hall of Fame.
Last month, Belichick failed to receive the 40 of 50 votes needed to be inducted to Canton in his first year of eligibility. The 73-year-old achieved no shortage of success during his 24-season tenure as Patriots head coach. amassing six Super Bowl titles, nine conference championships, 31 playoff wins and a 333-178 record from 2000-2023.
When asked directly if he voted for Belichick, Dungy replied: “I’m not going to disclose it. When you come on the committee, you take an oath that you’re not going to discuss any of the debates, anything that happened there.
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“I’m not going to put any of my teammates under the bus who they voted for, who I voted for.”
The comments didn’t sit well with ESPN’s Michael Kay, who demanded that Dungy be fired by NBC. “Tony Dungy, who’s getting paid by NBC, was asked on the never-ending pregame show whether or not he voted for Bill Belichick,” Kay said.
“He said he’s not going to discuss it. First of all, if I’m NBC, I fire him on the spot. We’re paying you whatever amount of money we’re paying you; you’re discussing it. What’s your value to us if you’re making news and you’re not discussing it with us?”