Report: Cris Collinsworth to Stay on 'SNF' for 'Many' Years Amid Drew Brees Buzz

NBC Sports reportedly isn't looking to replace Cris Collinsworth with Drew Brees when the New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees makes his foray into broadcasting. 

Sports Business Journal's John Ourand reported Monday that Collinsworth "will not leave the Sunday Night Football booth for many more years."

According to the New York Post's Andrew Marchand, Brees will sign with NBC Sports once his playing career ends and "be groomed as the potential replacement for [Collinsworth]."

Brees turned 41 in January, so his future on the gridiron becomes a storyline every offseason.

Marchand wrote that one plan is to have him work as an analyst for Notre Dame games and on-screen talent on Football Night in America to help him adjust to broadcasting. 

Marchand also posited there's a scenario where Collinsworth and Brees would both serve as in-game analysts should NBC Sports acquire the rights for more NFL games.

Brees can probably thank Tony Romo to some extent for already being able to line up his second career.

The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback was an immediate hit on CBS Sports, and now networks are doing whatever they can to replicate that success. Peyton Manning has long been a target for a role in the booth.

In addition, Romo's $17 million-per-year deal with CBS Sports speaks to how highly he's valued by the company.

Collinsworth and Al Michaels are generally regarded as a strong pair for Sunday Night Football, and Collinsworth's slide into frame has gained viral fame.

Unless Collinsworth was looking for something new, there would seemingly be little reason for NBC to make such a drastic change.