One of the most iconic names in the NFL, Al Michaels has become synonymous with a litany of major moments across the game’s history. One of the main voices in the league over the last few decades, he has served in his role across multiple platforms, including ABC, NBC, and CBS.
Currently working with Amazon Prime Video for its special “Thursday Night Football” slate, his contract was also extended by the broadcaster for the 2026 NFL season. However, in his first stint of playoff action this year, his work when the Chicago Bears faced the Green Bay Packers received a ton of flak from the football fan base at large.
Al Michaels Isn’t Making Any New Fans With Bears vs. Packers Performance
For a matchup as anticipated as the Bears and Packers facing off in Soldier Field during the NFL playoffs, the announcing crew had to be at its best to sell the magnitude of the moment. Unfortunately, it didn’t appear to be the case in the first half of the game.
With barely a peep or a reaction for the first two Green Bay touchdowns, it seemed like Michaels was disinterested or not excited about the developments in the game. That continued beyond the big plays as well.
A fake pitch on the opening kick return also went unmentioned by the legendary commentator, as fans quickly took notice. “Al Michaels couldn’t be bothered to mention the fake pitch on the kickoff return… really comfortable with that extension, I guess.”
The extension in question is the confirmation Amazon gave him about next season, a move that clearly seemed to have thrilled Michaels. “First of all, I feel great,” Michaels told Sports Business Journal.
“Everyone at Amazon has been fantastic, and I love working with this group. I’ve been looking at this year one year at a time, and as long as I feel I’m at the top of my game, I’d like to continue.”
But even with all of his experience and history, fans believed the fall off was undeniable. As one wrote, “Al Michaels is one of the best to ever do play by play… but time waits for none of us,” it was a feeling that many doubled down on, but in far harsher words.
Others pointed to the stark contrast in the levels of the commentary from the first game, a 34-31 classic between the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Rams, and this one, as one fan voiced his complaint, “Joe Davis and Greg Olsen were so great. Now we gotta deal with Michaels and Herbstreit.”
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However, he wasn’t alone in feeling the pain, as another fan made a clever comparison between the two announcing crews. “Going from Joe Davis and Greg Olsen on the call to Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit is the NFL quarterback equivalent of Patrick Mahomes to Chris Oladokun.”
Thanks to what seemed like a complete lack of interest from the veteran of over 40 years, a few fans were unwilling to mince words. As one fan openly believed, “Al Michaels is already asleep at the wheel.”
The vitriol from the fans continues to grow, and the almost detached rundown of events from Michaels for the game has been hard to justify. However, an extension for next season is locked in, and the fan base will be hearing a lot more from Michaels over the foreseeable future.
Unless the constant stress against him sways Amazon in another direction, expect to see him back in the booth next September, calling all the action.
