Three changes to make NFL preseason broadcasts better

Bring specialized analysts into the booth, not just another football name

An NFL broadcast may last multiple hours, but most of it is not even the game itself. Commercials right now take up nearly a third of an NFL broadcast, but there is still plenty of time to fill. Channels could cater to niche fans with specialized analysts and commentators, diving deeper into certain areas of the game.

The NFL broadcasts brought in rules analysts, such as former NFL official Gene Steratore, in the 2010s. These analysts provided clear and concise explanations for fans, over an area with many nuances and room for interpretation. Channels or broadcasts could expand on that further, during pre-game or in-game breaks.

Bring in a fantasy football analyst during pre-game, talking about his players to watch for the game or what players will perform the worst. What about adding an advanced stats analyst? They could explain these seemingly random numbers, and why they do or do not matter. Both of these aspects have their own fans, who are interested in them more than the gameplay itself.

If channels don’t want to support those niche fans, at least bring in analysts who offer something new. Former players of the same mold continue to join the commentary booth, bringing a few unique viewpoints. For the preseason specifically, adding a former general manager or notable front office staff could talk about roster decisions, and evaluate a team’s current situation. Also, fantasy analysts during the preseason would be a great addition, right before most fantasy drafts. Overall, broadcasts adding new flavors of analysts, whether it be general football or a specific area, would help.