'Do You Believe...?': Amazon Targeting Big Name for NFL Coverage

For a while, it seemed like retirement may be the next step in Al Michaels' storied broadcasting career. Jeff Bezos, however, doesn't seem to agree.

Andrew Marchand of the New York Post reported that Amazon is targeting Michaels to be their lead play-by-play voice of their exclusive Thursday Night Football coverage. Michaels has been the voice of SNF since NBC began the program in 2006, and will have an expiring contract at the end of next football season. Per Marchand, he is scheduled to call this year's Super Bowl, and then pass the baton over to Mike Tirico, who has been the heir apparent to Sunday Night Football since he left ESPN in 2016.

That's just the tip of the iceberg for what Amazon has planned for their TNF coverage.

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Should the deal between Amazon and Michaels fall through, Marchand reports that two other big names, Joe Buck and Ian Eagle, are being courted to fill this slot. Both are under contract longer than Michaels, but would bring an instant bit of notoriety and experience to Amazon's booth.

A bit of conjecture here...I am a big fan of Ian Eagle, and would love to see him get this gig. That said, he's still currently on the rise with CBS and TNT, so that may end up being the safest bet for him. Now, back to the news.

In terms of a partner for Michaels, the only name mentioned by Marchand is Nate Burleson, former NFL wide receiver and current studio analyst for CBS and the NFL Network. He is the co-host of Good Morning Football on the latter, which is also a great show.

The move for Michaels would make the most logical sense given the timelines of others' contracts, as he brings a familiar and reliable voice to the broadcast, one that will entice fans of SNF to be a part of TNF's growing audience. More to come soon, I'm sure.