Kyle Long joining Russell Wilson as newest members of 'The NFL Today'
CBS continues to fill out the roster.
On June 1, the network was finalizing a deal with Super Bowl champion quarterback Russell Wilson to join "The NFL Today" studio show alongside James Brown, Nate Burleson and Bill Cowher. In other words, CBS added a quarterback to a roster that included a host, receiver and head coach, meaning there was a clear need on the offensive line.
The network took care of that on June 4, locking in Kyle Long, the former Chicago Bears Pro Bowl offensive lineman, as its newest member on the desk. It represents a promotion for Long, who first joined CBS in 2020 before coming out of retirement to join the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021.
Long rejoined the network as a host of "The NFL Today+" and as an analyst on "CBS Sports HQ" in 2022. The two newest members of the studio show joined "CBS Mornings" on June 4 to talk about the new gig.
"This is everything a boy like me could've ever dreamed of, having watched my dad be in the studio, sitting on James Browns' knee in 1994 at the desk," Long said. "I knew this is where I wanted to be and CBS has been awesome and we get to do it every Sunday now."
Welcome to THE NFL TODAY, @DangeRussWilson and @Ky1eLong!
- CBS Sports PR (@CBSSportsGang) June 4, 2026
The guys joined @nateburleson on @CBSMornings to discuss their new roles as analysts on CBS Sports' signature NFL pregame show.
Release: https://t.co/q6tdHxnIDRpic.twitter.com/NbAAIzy2ER
While Long has already been in the media for a few years, he won't have to look far for an example of how things look on the traditional television side of things. Long's father, Howie, joined "Fox NFL Sunday" as an original member when the show premiered in 1994 and has been a fixture on the desk ever since.
It means that NFL studio shows on Sunday afternoons will be a family affair for the Longs, given that one will be on CBS and the other is on Fox.
However, Long's focus is on helping Wilson transition into this role in his post-playing career. The offensive lineman noted that when he first retired, he wondered where his real friends were since there was no longer a team to lean on.
"I'm really excited to be part of Russell's transition into being a man, not just a player for people to know and understand," Long said, noting the two have known each other since they were 14 years old. "I played some golf with him last week, the guy is a great hang in long form and everyone in America is gonna get to see that this year."
Harold Bryant, executive producer and executive vice president of production at CBS Sports addressed Long's promotion in a statement.
Kyle brings an infectious energy, relentless passion and deep knowledge of the game and is not shy about sharing his opinions," Bryant said. "He has earned this opportunity and we're proud to elevate him to a full-time role on 'The NFL Today.' We're excited for this new team at the desk to kick off NFL Sundays on CBS."
"It's a short last name, but it's really long."
- NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) June 4, 2026
Here's to more time this season with @Ky1eLongpic.twitter.com/zyHvq0j6P1
Long echoed those thoughts in a statement of his own.
"I'm one of the lucky ones who grew up around the NFL and Sunday shows," Long said. "It's been my dream to work in this industry since visiting my dad in the studio in 1994. From the moment I realized I wouldn't play in the league forever, I've had my compass set for this job. I'm eager to bring my unfiltered passion and energy to 'The NFL Today' on CBS every Sunday.
"Week 1 can't come soon enough!"
Luckily for Long, Sept. 13 is just around the corner.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Former Bears OL Kyle Long joining CBS as analyst on 'The NFL Today'