Why is Cris Collinsworth not calling the Thanksgiving NFL game?

Cris Collinsworth is taking a planned holiday break for Thanksgiving, a practice he has followed in previous years.

Who is replacing Cris Collinsworth for the Thanksgiving broadcast?

Jason Garrett will be in the broadcast booth to call the Thanksgiving NFL game in place of Cris Collinsworth.

When will Cris Collinsworth return to calling NFL games?

Cris Collinsworth is expected to return to the broadcast booth for NBC's Week 13 "Sunday Night Football" game.

Home / Sports / Collinsworth Takes Thanksgiving Off From NFL Booth

Collinsworth Takes Thanksgiving Off From NFL Booth

28 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Cris Collinsworth will not call the Thanksgiving NFL game.
Jason Garrett will replace Collinsworth for the holiday broadcast.
Collinsworth is taking a planned holiday break this year.

Collinsworth Takes Thanksgiving Off From NFL Booth

Cris Collinsworth, a prominent analyst for NBC's NFL coverage, will be absent from the Thanksgiving Day broadcast. His absence is a pre-planned holiday break, a tradition he has followed in prior seasons, including 2024. This year, he is opting out of calling the Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals game.

Filling the analyst role for the Thanksgiving matchup will be Jason Garrett, who has previously served as a substitute for Collinsworth. Garrett, a former NFL head coach, joined NBC in 2022 and has experience calling games with lead play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico. He previously stepped in for Collinsworth during last season's Thanksgiving game.

Collinsworth's last game was the Week 12 "Sunday Night Football" matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, marking his 500th career broadcast. He is slated to return to the booth for NBC's Week 13 "SNF" game featuring the Washington Commanders and Denver Broncos.