Bill Belichick, the legendary head coach who led the New England Patriots to eight Super Bowl wins, is joining Inside the NFL, which starts its second season on The CW August 30.

Belichick will serve as an analyst, appearing with Ryan Clark, Chad Johnson and Chris Long.

“Bill Belichick joining Inside the NFL is a true game-changer for this storied franchise and The CW,” said CW Network president Dennis Miller. “Not only is he one of the most accomplished coaches in NFL history, but his knowledge and passion for football is truly unmatched. Fans will now get the chance to hear his insights and better understand the nuances of the game from the master himself. We cannot wait for Bill, Ryan, Chad and Chris to deliver a championship-caliber show all season long.”

The CW has been adding sports programming since it was acquired by Nexstar Media Group.

Belichick left the Patriots after last season. 

“I’m thrilled to join my new team at NFL Films and to work on such a historic television franchise,” said Bill Belichick. “I’ve always appreciated Inside the NFL’s depth of analysis, and I hope to bring the same detailed insight to The CW by talking real football with real pros — Ryan, Chris and Chad — this coming season.”

Inside the NFL is entering its 48th season. It appears every Friday night featuring analysis and game action captured by NFL Films cameras and microphones.  The show debuted on HBO in 1977 and moved to Showtime in 2008, then Paramount Plus in 2021.

“Over the years, NFL Films and Coach Belichick have enjoyed a long and collaborative relationship,“ NFL Films senior producer and showrunner Steve Menzel said. “Adding his football mind to an already impressive roster on Inside the NFL presents an incredible creative opportunity.” 

Inside the NFL premieres on The CW Tuesday, September 5. It is the 47th season of the weekly program, and the first on The CW. 

The show debuted on HBO in 1977, moved to Showtime in 2008, then Paramount Plus in 2021. So it is Inside the NFL’s first time on a free-to-all broadcast network, and Ross Ketover, executive producer, said the new home means “by far the most homes we’ve ever been on.” He also said its CW base represents “an opportunity for us to reinvent the show.”

Ryan Clark, who was a safety in the NFL from 2002 to 2014, then an analyst on ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown, is the new host. He is joined by former Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder, former Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, former Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnston and former Rams defensive end Chris Long, son of Howie Long.  

Ketover, senior executive at NFL Films, said Clark “did an incredible job” at ESPN, and comes to Inside the NFL full of ideas, and with strong relationships around the league. “He has the insights and the passion to do something different that’s unlike anyone we’ve worked with before,” said Ketover. “He calls every day with new ideas.”

Ketover has been with the show for 28 years. For the first time, he said, it is fully produced at NFL Films, outside Philadelphia, after it previously had the studio portion produced by its partner network. The staples of Inside the NFL, including “smart talent making interesting commentary on the NFL,” remain the same, Ketover said. But producing the entire show, Ketover added, means enhanced access to players and coaches, including players wearing wires and coaches’ locker room speeches. 

“Little tidbits of access,” he said, “can turn into a big, long conversation.”

Not many shows have had 47 seasons. Among the longer-running series, General Hospital has had 60 seasons and Sesame Street has had 53. The Simpsons will start season 35 this fall. NCIS has had 20 seasons and Grey’s Anatomy has been around for 19. 

When The CW announced it had acquired Inside the NFL, Dennis Miller, network president, said: “For almost five decades, Inside the NFL has been an industry leader in showcasing can’t-miss weekly highlights, unprecedented behind-the-scenes content, exclusive access to players and lively discussion. By combining this premiere NFL content with our robust broadcast audience, we look forward to bringing this legendary sports series to more fans than ever before and to advertisers for the first time.”

With scripted shows hard to come by amidst the strike, Inside the NFL is a timely unscripted offering focused on a topic that viewers are wildly interested in. 

The CW affiliates appear to be pumped about the rookie program. “Any time you put the NFL shield up on a product, you’re going to have people go find it, especially in this town,” KDAF Dallas VP and general manager Marc Hefner said. “It may take people a minute to find it, but once they find it, it’s appointment television.”

Ketover said “the incredible storylines don’t seem to end” in the NFL. “Everyone in every city feels like they have the most important storyline to cover.” 

He has some thoughts on why the NFL remains a standout draw among American viewers. It is on just a couple days a week, it is America’s own contribution to the sports world, it is both physical and strategic, and weather adds to the “cinematic” nature of the game, Ketover said. 

And most any team can beat its opponent on a given Sunday. “Any team, any year, can win a title,” Ketover said. “That fills every fan base with hope this time of year.”

Ryan Clark has been named host of Inside the NFL. The weekly show has moved to The CW and debuts Tuesday, September 5. Clark won a Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers and is an analyst on ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown. 

Clark will be joined by former Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder, former Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, former Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnston and former Rams defensive end Chris Long, son of Howie Long.  

“We are thrilled to welcome Ryan, Channing, Jay, Chad and Chris to The CW family as we prepare Inside the NFL for its broadcast television debut,” said Dennis Miller, president, The CW Network. “Not only do they all possess a deep understanding, knowledge and passion for the game, but they also bring a unique sense of humor and fun to the table. Plus, they are not afraid to voice their opinions on any topic. This season of Inside the NFL will be a must-watch for all football fans.”

Besides his work on Monday Night Countdown, Clark regularly appears on ESPN’s NFL Live, First Take, Get Up and SportsCenter. In January 2022, he launched “The Pivot Podcast” with Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder. 

“Every day I showed up to work it was always about the next step… I dreamed of being a host, but not even in my wildest dreams did I think it would be the host of Inside the NFL,” said Clark. “I played against all the analysts who will be with me on Tuesday nights and always admired the way they approached the game of football. I’m excited to see that same passion poured into the new Inside the NFL now that we are all on the same team.”

Inside the NFL debuted on HBO in 1977. It moved to Showtime in 2008 and then Paramount Plus in 2021. 

“We are so proud that Inside the NFL has been loved and consumed by football fans for an incredible 47 years,” said Ross Ketover, senior executive, NFL Films. “Now having this show on broadcast television for the first time, with our new partners at The CW, everyone at NFL Films is unbelievably excited to refresh and reinvent this tentpole franchise.”   

An NFL Films production, Inside the NFL is executive produced by Ketover, Pat Kelleher and Keith Cossrow.

The CW is the new home for Inside the NFL. The show debuted on HBO in 1977 and moved to Showtime in 2008, then Paramount Plus in 2021.

In its broadcast TV debut, Inside the NFL premieres on The CW Tuesday, September 5. It will be season 47. 

“We are excited to partner with NFL Films and welcome Inside the NFL to The CW Sports family,” said Dennis Miller, The CW president. “For almost five decades, Inside the NFL has been an industry leader in showcasing can’t-miss weekly highlights, unprecedented behind-the-scenes content, exclusive access to players and lively discussion. By combining this premiere NFL content with our robust broadcast audience, we look forward to bringing this legendary sports series to more fans than ever before and to advertisers for the first time.”

Hosts and producers will be announced at a later date. Past cast members include Dan Marino, Phil Simms, James Brown, Cris Carter, Cris Collinsworth, Brandon Marshall, Ray Lewis, Bob Costas, Jerry Glanville, Jimmy Johnson, Boomer Esiason and, for 23 years of the show’s HBO run, the late Len Dawson and Nick Buoniconti. 

“Generations of football fans have grown up watching Inside the NFL,” said Ross Ketover, senior executive, NFL Films. “It is a show we cherish at NFL Films and we are thrilled to bring it to a great new partner in The CW. This is a special opportunity to reimagine and reboot Inside the NFL for a wider audience and a new generation of fans. We can’t wait to get started.”