Major changes coming to NBC's 'Sunday Night Football' - What fans need to know

NBC's long-running Sunday Night Football lineup could look very different next season, and hardcore NFL viewers aren't holding back their reactions.

The network is reportedly planning a significant overhaul of its pregame show and broader broadcast team, a shift that could mark one of the biggest changes to its primetime presentation in years.

At the center of the speculation is Tony Dungy, the Hall of Fame coach and veteran analyst who has been a staple on NBC's Football Night in America for nearly two decades.

According to multiple reports, Dungy is "likely out as a regular" on the network's Sunday pregame show when the 2026 NFL season kicks off.

Dungy, 70, has been part of NBC's NFL broadcast team since 2009, joining the network after a celebrated coaching career that included a Super Bowl victory with the Indianapolis Colts and later induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Insiders familiar with the situation say that, in addition to Dungy, contracts for several studio analysts, including Devin McCourty, Jason Garrett, Chris Simms, and Rodney Harrison, also expired after NBC's Super Bowl broadcast this year, providing a natural juncture for change.

The Athletic's Andrew Marchand says NBC may be preparing a "newlook show," one that trims down its roster and potentially takes more of its production on the road.

That could reduce the number of on-air personalities and alter the familiar rhythm that football fans have grown used to on Sunday nights.

Fans are already weighing in on social media about what the changes could mean, and many aren't shy about offering bold predictions.

Fan predictions and hot takes

Some viewers are forecasting a near-total roster reset. One fan posted that they expect "Harrison, Garrett, J Collinsworth and Dungy out," adding that others would "stay and go on the road except Florio."

That supporter even projected a revised show built around Chris Simms and Maria Taylor, with hopes that NBC "can get a big analyst" to fill a marquee role.

Other viewers didn't mince words about their viewing habits. "Does anyone actually watch these shows?" one person wrote. "I tune in when game starts, flip to something else at halftime, out of there when game is over."

Football Night in America has been a ratings powerhouse for NBC and the flagship pregame program for Sunday Night Football. Bringing in big names like Dungy over the years helped establish continuity and familiarity, even as the broader broadcast landscape has shifted.

The possible departure of a 17-season network fixture is noteworthy because it shows how seriously NBC appears to be rethinking its approach. That could include changes to where and how the show is produced, as well as who viewers see every week, leading into the Sunday night game.

In addition to the potential departure from the studio seat, there's talk NBC might explore a more road-centric model, perhaps mirroring strategies some competitors have used to give their broadcasts a live, on-site feel.