5 Shocking Updates On Cris Collinsworth’s Career: Why He’s Not Always On Sunday Night Football

The question "What happened to Cris Collinsworth?" has become one of the most searched queries for NFL fans, especially as the 2025 season progresses. The legendary broadcaster, known for his distinctive voice and "Collinsworth Slide" intro on Sunday Night Football (SNF), has been noticeably absent from a few high-profile broadcasts, sparking immediate speculation about his health, a potential retirement, or a contract dispute. However, as of December 2025, the true story is far less dramatic and points to a massive, long-term commitment that solidifies his status as one of the highest-paid and most enduring voices in sports television.

The short answer is that Cris Collinsworth is not going anywhere; in fact, he is cementing his legacy with a blockbuster deal that will keep him in the booth for the foreseeable future. His periodic absences are strategic breaks, a common practice for elite broadcasters, rather than a sign of a career winding down.

Anthony Cris Collinsworth: Full Biography and Career Profile

Anthony Cris Collinsworth is a former professional football player and current highly decorated sports broadcaster. His career spans decades, moving seamlessly from the gridiron to the broadcast booth, where he has earned critical acclaim and immense popularity.

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• Full Name: Anthony Cris Collinsworth
• Date of Birth: January 27, 1959
• Age (as of December 2025): 66
• Hometown: Dayton, Ohio
• College: University of Florida
• NFL Playing Career: Wide Receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals (1981–1988)
• NFL Accolades: 3-time Pro Bowl selection (1981, 1982, 1983)
• Broadcasting Career Start: Began his broadcasting career in 1989 after retiring from the NFL.
• Major Networks: HBO, NBC, FOX, NFL Network, ESPN.
• Current Role: Lead Color Analyst for NBC's Sunday Night Football (SNF) alongside Mike Tirico.
• Major Awards: 17-time Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Sports Analyst/Personality; Inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame (2023).
• Other Ventures: Co-founder of Pro Football Focus (PFF), a football analytics company.
• Education: Attended the University of Cincinnati College of Law while still playing for the Bengals.

1. The Truth Behind Collinsworth’s Strategic Absences

The most immediate trigger for the "what happened to Cris Collinsworth" panic is his occasional absence from the Sunday Night Football booth. In the 2025 season, the speculation peaked when he was not present for the high-profile Thanksgiving night game featuring the Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens.

This absence was not due to a health crisis or a sudden retirement. Instead, it was a pre-planned holiday break, a choice he made to step away from the grueling schedule of a prime-time broadcaster.

NBC’s plan was clear: Collinsworth opted to skip the holiday telecast and return for the following Sunday night game. This practice of top-tier announcers taking a few weeks off during the season is becoming increasingly common, especially with the demanding travel and preparation required for a weekly prime-time broadcast.

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Filling in for him during the Thanksgiving game was former Dallas Cowboys coach and current NBC analyst Jason Garrett, who joined Mike Tirico in the booth.

2. Blockbuster New Contract: Quashing Retirement Rumors

Despite the persistent retirement rumors, the reality is that Cris Collinsworth is signing a massive extension with NBC. The network is reportedly planning to keep the iconic voice of Sunday Night Football in place for the long term.

Reports from sources like Andrew Marchand indicate that Collinsworth is close to finalizing a new deal that would run through the 2029-30 NFL season. This contract would ensure his presence in the booth for years to come, likely seeing him through the end of the decade.

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The financial terms of the deal are equally impressive, placing him among the elite in sports media. Collinsworth is reportedly seeking a salary of $12.5 million per season, a figure that reflects his value and longevity in the industry.

This extension is a clear signal from NBC that they view the partnership between Collinsworth and play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico as essential to the continued success of the highest-rated program in prime-time television.

3. The Milestone: 500 NFL Broadcasts and Enduring Influence

In a testament to his incredible staying power, Cris Collinsworth recently reached a monumental career milestone: his 500th NFL broadcast as a color analyst.

This number puts him in rarefied air, highlighting a broadcasting career that has been nearly twice as long as his eight-season NFL playing career with the Cincinnati Bengals. His first broadcast was decades ago, and his consistency has made him a household name.

Collinsworth took over the lead analyst role for Sunday Night Football in 2009, succeeding the legendary John Madden. He has since become the defining voice of the most important weekly NFL game, calling multiple Super Bowls, including the upcoming Super Bowl LX in February.

His enduring influence is rooted in his detailed analysis, which often dives deep into the strategy and nuances of the game, a style that has earned him 17 Emmy Awards.

4. The 'Big D' Controversy and Social Media Scrutiny

Even with his veteran status, Collinsworth continues to be a lightning rod for social media commentary, which often fuels the "what happened" searches. In the 2025 season, he faced a wave of criticism after a broadcast of a Dallas Cowboys game against the Minnesota Vikings.

During the game, Collinsworth repeatedly referred to the Dallas Cowboys as "Big D," a nickname that drew immediate and widespread mockery and criticism online from viewers who found the phrasing uncomfortable or repetitive.

This incident is just one example of the constant scrutiny high-profile broadcasters face. Whether it’s his commentary on player injuries, his signature "Collinsworth Slide" into the frame, or his perceived bias toward certain teams, his every word is dissected by millions of viewers each week.

His willingness to weigh in on controversial topics, such as a debated injury to Patrick Mahomes, keeps him at the center of the football conversation, ensuring his relevance—and the constant search for news about him.

5. Collinsworth’s Legacy and Future Through 2030

The latest updates confirm that Cris Collinsworth's professional life is marked by stability, not crisis. He is a key figure in the NFL's media landscape, and his role is secured for the remainder of the decade. His commitment to NBC through the 2029-30 season means he will continue to be the voice guiding fans through the biggest matchups every Sunday night.

His career is a masterclass in media transition, building on his foundation as a three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals. His co-founding of Pro Football Focus (PFF) also demonstrates his acumen for the business and analytical side of the sport, further cementing his topical authority.

For fans wondering "What happened to Cris Collinsworth," the answer is simple: he is exactly where he is supposed to be—at the pinnacle of sports broadcasting, taking strategic breaks, negotiating a massive contract, and preparing for his next 500 broadcasts.