Sports

Joe Theismann Warns NFL Is Drifting Away From 'Tradition'

Joe Theismann believes the NFL is straying away from tradition.

The legendary NFL quarterback believes that the league is doing more harm than good when it comes to the spreading out of games across various networks and streaming platforms.

The NFL has long aired most of its games on ABC, ESPN, FOX, CBS and NBC. However, in recent years, more and more games have been spread out to streaming platforms, like Peacock, Amazon Prime and Netlfix.

Theismann doesn't love this.

 LANDOVER, MARYLAND - FEBRUARY 02: Former player Joe Theismann speaks during the announcement of the Washington Football Team's name change to the Washington Commanders at FedExField on February 02, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - FEBRUARY 02: Former player Joe Theismann speaks during the announcement of the Washington Football Team's name change to the Washington Commanders at FedExField on February 02, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) Rob Carr/Getty Images

Theismann spoke with Fox News Digital this week, prior to his annual appearance at the American Century Championship golf tournament in Lake Tahoe.

Theismann believes that the NFL is making a wrong move.

Legendary NFL quarterback speaks out against streaming

"They've drifted away from tradition," Theismann said. "It used to be ABC, NBC, and CBS. Now we're in a time and a place where the opportunity for the owners to make lots of money from different entities, from YouTube, from Amazon, from Peacock."

However, Theisman thinks there are plusses and minuses.

"It gives you a chance to find the game that you want to watch now," Theismann said. "You don't have to read about it the next day. So, in one regard, it's grown the NFL, and the other side of it, yeah, would we all like things to be a little bit like they used to be? Maybe. But I believe in the progressive as a progressive individual, but life is changing. You have to adapt and change with it."

"Sunday is something you would look forward to sitting down to because you really didn't have an option," Theismann continued. "Now you have options on Monday night, Thursday night, Wednesday night. God only knows, Tuesday night, Saturday evening."

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This story was originally published May 31, 2026 at 12:00 PM.

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