Al Michaels seemed overjoyed that Jason Kelce’s TNF appearance temporarily saved him from Bears-Panthers

We knew the Chicago Bears’ matchup with the Carolina Panthers on Thursday Night Football would be an atrocious rock fight. Even with some weird draft incentives for the Bears, no rational football-loving mind saw this game on paper and thought it was a burgeoning classic.

Apparently, the folks who work and produce TNF thought the same thing! So they prepared accordingly. Instead of keeping full attention on a game featuring Tyson Bagent and Bryce Young — a disappointing No. 1 overall pick — the broadcast brought in Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce into the booth.

Why, you might ask?

Well, for no discernible reason other than that Kelce is a magnetic personality, and this was one of the obvious worst TNF games on paper all year. No one, not even the announcers, really wanted to watch this matchup closely. The gambit with Kelce — easily more interesting by himself than two of the NFL’s worst teams on the field — clearly worked with an overjoyed Al Michaels. Any criticism of the announcer lacking enthusiasm seemingly faded the moment he got to talk to Kelce:

Al Michaels: I saw Kelce one of the finalists for sexiest man. I thought it was — you know who I thought it was?

Jason Kelce: Me pic.twitter.com/peS24sgw6D

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 10, 2023

Who could possibly blame Michaels for perking up once Kelce sat next to him? He seems like such a fun guy with a lot of energy. Now imagine talking to Kelce instead of devoting your energy to a horrid football game. It’d be a no-brainer every time.

NFL fans appreciated Jason Kelce’s random appearance on TNF

Al and Kirk so disinterested in this game they’ll just have Jason Kelce on for the whole half.

— Bill Zimmerman (@BillTZimmerman) November 10, 2023

Talk show with Jason Kelce is an understandable programming choice I’m not gonna lie.

— Danny Parkins (@DannyParkins) November 10, 2023

Can’t believe they are showing the Bears game in the middle of their Jason Kelce interview

— Johnny Barks (@Johnny_Barks) November 10, 2023

Don’t let this Jason Kelce interview distract you from the fact that this game is unappealing.

— M.G. (@MarcasG) November 10, 2023

also hilarious that during Jason kelce’s segment, Kirk and Al spent several minutes remarking on how good of a culture the Eagles have and how it feels to walk in their building… not saying a word about Chicago or Carolina during that convo

— Kalyn Kahler (@kalynkahler) November 10, 2023

Jason Kelce casually calling quick snap is awesome, I love him

— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) November 10, 2023

this turned from a TNF game to a Jason Kelce sit down interview LMAO

— Tony🧽 (@Tony_Kudo) November 10, 2023

Jason Kelce directing the booth to watch and call the 3rd down play.. such a center move 😂

— trey wingo (@wingoz) November 10, 2023

Jason Kelce is going to be damn good on TV when he retires

— Matt Eurich (@MattEurich) November 10, 2023

As someone who has watched a lot of mid-week MAC games, having Jason Kelce in booth reminds me of that. Gives the announcing crew a chance to talk about better teams that aren’t currently playing.

— Sam Householder (@SamHouseholder) November 10, 2023