Image Source: The New York Times
Amazon Prime Video is reportedly keeping Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay in mind for a future role on its Thursday Night Football broadcast team. The possibility emerged after the streaming platform reached a contract extension with Kirk Herbstreit, one of the central voices on its NFL coverage.
According to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, Herbstreit has agreed to remain part of the Thursday Night Football crew. However, the agreement reportedly gives Amazon some flexibility to move on if one of its preferred targets becomes available. McVay was identified as a potential long-term target under that arrangement.
Amazon Prime Video Keeps Sean McVay on Its NFL Wish List
The report does not suggest that McVay is leaving the Rams or preparing to retire from coaching. Instead, it highlights the continued interest in his broadcasting potential, a subject that has followed the Super Bowl-winning coach for several years.
McVay first became a major broadcasting candidate after guiding the Rams to a Super Bowl 56 victory in February 2021. Reports at the time indicated that he could receive more than $15 million per year if he chose to leave the sideline. Marchand previously reported that Amazon was prepared to offer him as much as $100 million over five years.
Those figures would have made McVay one of the highest-paid sports broadcasters in the United States. Although he ultimately decided to continue coaching, his strong communication skills, offensive expertise and television-friendly personality have kept him on the radar of major media companies.
A Difficult 2022 Season Nearly Changed McVay’s Path
McVay’s interest in broadcasting became more realistic after a challenging 2022 season. The Rams finished 5–12 while dealing with injuries to several important players, and the coach later acknowledged that the campaign affected him deeply.
Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reported that McVay had spiraled under a combination of fatigue, grief, frustration and self-doubt. Earlier this year, McVay said on the Bussin with the Boys podcast that he felt like “a fraud” during that season.
“The reality is, I would have been quitting because I couldn’t handle the losing,” McVay said. He described the poor record as feeling like a “scarlet letter,” emphasizing how difficult it was to cope with the first losing season of his head-coaching career.
The Rams announced in January 2023 that McVay would return. Since then, he has restored the team as a consistent contender, leading Los Angeles to the playoffs in each of the following three seasons. The Rams most recently reached the NFC Championship Game before losing to the Seattle Seahawks in January.
McVay’s Potential Broadcast Price Could Be Historic
If McVay eventually moves from coaching to television, his asking price could be much higher than the reported offer from 2022. His coaching salary was believed to be approximately $15 million annually as of September 2025, and his market value has likely increased through continued success.
Tom Brady currently holds the highest reported annual salary among NFL broadcasters, earning $37.5 million from Fox. Troy Aikman is reportedly making $18 million per season at ESPN as the color commentator for Monday Night Football.
- Sean McVay owns a 93–59 overall record with the Rams.
- He has made seven playoff appearances in 10 seasons.
- McVay has reached two Super Bowls and won one championship.
- His only losing season came in 2022.
That résumé could make McVay an especially attractive addition to a prime-time NFL booth. He could offer tactical insight, explain offensive concepts clearly and provide an active coach’s perspective that few analysts can match.
What the Report Means for Thursday Night Football
For now, Herbstreit remains part of the Thursday Night Football broadcast team, and McVay remains firmly in charge of the Rams. The reported contract flexibility simply gives Amazon a possible route to pursue McVay if his coaching career eventually comes to an end.
The situation could become more significant if McVay begins considering another break from coaching. His previous decision to return suggests that broadcasting is not an immediate priority, but the continued interest shows that the opportunity has not disappeared.
For Amazon, landing McVay would create a powerful addition to its NFL presentation. For McVay, it could offer a lucrative second career whenever he decides that the demands of coaching no longer outweigh the appeal of the broadcast booth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sean McVay joining Amazon Prime Video now?
No. McVay remains the Los Angeles Rams’ head coach. The report only indicates that Amazon could pursue him for a future Thursday Night Football role.
Did Kirk Herbstreit sign a new contract?
Yes. According to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, Herbstreit agreed to a contract extension with Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football broadcast team.
How much could Sean McVay earn as a broadcaster?
Reports in 2022 indicated that Amazon was prepared to offer McVay as much as $100 million over five years. A future deal could be worth more.
What is Sean McVay’s coaching record?
McVay owns a 93–59 record with seven playoff appearances, two Super Bowl trips and one championship during his Rams tenure.
