​There’s an old saying that the greatest things in life often arrive when you least expect them. In any field, there’s real value in being in the right place at the right moment, and many people will tell you luck favors those who prepare. Kyle Long carried a lifelong dream of walking in his father’s footsteps. Howie Long, his father, has been a towering influence—from his Hall of Fame career on the gridiron to becoming one of the sport’s most trusted voices off it. That path, shaped by Howie, ultimately opened many doors for Kyle.
Long was selected in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, embarking on a professional journey that would earn him three Pro Bowl invitations before he retired from the league in 2022. His NFL career did not run parallel to his father’s, but after stepping away from the playing field, Kyle followed a familiar trajectory by joining CBS Sports. Over the past three years, he has emerged as a rising star among CBS’s NFL analysts. He became a regular presence on That Other Pregame Show and more recently on The NFL Today+.
When Matt Ryan left The NFL Today to take on an executive role with the Atlanta Falcons, there was widespread speculation about who would fill Ryan’s chair on the network’s flagship pregame program. Recalling the moment, Long said, “When I first got the phone call, I assumed it would be about offering my opinion on someone else in sports media. It shifted from a routine “teammate call” about possibilities to a direct inquiry about me. I was floored.”
This fall, Kyle Long will join Russell Wilson as the newest faces on The NFL Today on CBS. The one-hour pregame show will feature Long and Wilson alongside Nate Burleson, Bill Cowher, and host James Brown. As part of the arrangement, both Wilson and Long will also serve as studio analysts on THE NFL TODAY+, CBS Sports’ digital pregame show that streams on Paramount+, CBS Sports HQ, and the NFL on CBS YouTube channel.
“I’m not taking this opportunity for granted,” Long says. “It sounds cliché, but it’s always been a lifelong dream of mine since I first understood what goals were. The stars have aligned, and the universe has treated me—and my family—very well. Football has always been a core part of my identity.”
A family competition has quietly shaped Long’s rise. The dream traces back to 1994 when his father became one of the original faces of the NFL on FOX. For three decades, Howie Long has continued to offer insight, analysis, and perspective on FOX NFL Sunday. Now, the torch appears to be passing in a very public way, as father and son prepare to captivate football fans across the country from competing networks. The dynamic of two generations vying for the attention and admiration of fans—each with a distinct voice and approach—adds an intriguing layer to the broadcast landscape.
As their paths converge in this high-profile arena, both Longs will be measured not only by the longevity of their careers but by their ability to translate complex game realities into accessible, engaging commentary for a nationwide audience. Fans can expect to see Kyle Long bring a player’s insight, tempered by his own experiences on the field and the standard of excellence established by his father. Meanwhile, Howie Long’s enduring legacy on FOX NFL Sunday continues to shape the discourse around the game he helped define.
In the end, the story is less about a single moment of luck and more about the convergence of preparation, opportunity, and a family heritage dedicated to football. Kyle Long’s ascent to The NFL Today on CBS, alongside Russell Wilson, represents not just a career milestone but a continuation of a family tradition—one where knowledge, perspective, and passion for the game are handed down from generation to generation.