Noah Eagle replaced Mike Tirico on NBC’s Sunday Night Football broadcast between the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 8 after Tirico withdrew because of an undisclosed health issue. The unexpected change placed the 29-year-old broadcaster alongside Cris Collinsworth and Melissa Stark for the primetime game at Soldier Field.
NBC confirmed the replacement on Sunday afternoon, just hours before kickoff. Tirico, 59, was originally scheduled to call his 300th career NFL game but announced that he would miss the broadcast and expected to return the following week in Cincinnati.
Why Was Noah Eagle Announcing Sunday Night Football?
Noah Eagle was selected to replace Tirico after NBC learned that its regular play-by-play announcer would be unavailable.
Eagle was already in the Midwest after calling Notre Dame’s 31-24 victory over Miami in South Bend, Indiana, on Saturday night. His location and previous NFL broadcasting experience made him a suitable replacement on short notice.
During the opening of Sunday’s broadcast, Eagle acknowledged Tirico’s absence.
“So glad you can join us tonight. Welcome to Chicago. Noah Eagle, filling in for Mike Tirico, dealing with a health issue. He looks forward to being back next week in Cincinnati with the crew.”
Eagle then continued the broadcast with Collinsworth, who discussed Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams and Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield.
What Happened to Mike Tirico?
Tirico announced his absence through a statement released by NBC Sports on November 8.
“Unfortunately, I will have to miss tonight’s game in Chicago due to a health issue. I look forward to watching tonight and can’t wait to be back with Cris, Melissa and the rest of our SNF team next Sunday night in Cincinnati.”
NBC did not provide additional information about his condition or explain whether the issue required medical treatment.
The absence delayed a significant milestone in Tirico’s broadcasting career. The Bears-Buccaneers matchup was scheduled to be his 300th NFL broadcast, nearly two decades after he began calling professional football games.
Tirico has served as NBC’s lead Sunday Night Football announcer since 2022, when he succeeded Al Michaels.
Who Is Noah Eagle?
Noah Eagle is an American sports broadcaster and the son of veteran CBS announcer Ian Eagle.
He graduated from Syracuse University in 2019 and began his professional broadcasting career as the radio play-by-play announcer for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Eagle later joined NBC Sports, where he became a prominent voice in college football, basketball and other major sporting events.
He regularly calls Notre Dame football games and has handled NFL assignments for NBC, Peacock and Netflix.
Earlier in the 2026 NFL season, Eagle called the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers matchup in Australia for Netflix.
His experience also includes NBC’s coverage of the Olympic Games and NBA basketball.
Mike Tirico Previously Missed Kentucky Derby Coverage
Tirico experienced another unexpected broadcasting absence during the Kentucky Derby in May 2025.
He suffered a significant allergic reaction after accidentally consuming food containing nuts. The broadcaster has previously discussed living with a nut allergy since childhood.
Tirico received medical treatment, including an EpiPen injection, and was unable to continue hosting the event.
NBC broadcaster Ahmed Fareed replaced him during the Derby coverage.
Tirico later explained that the allergic reaction had caused swelling and breathing difficulties before he recovered.
There is no confirmed connection between that incident and the health issue responsible for his November 2026 absence.
When Will Mike Tirico Return to NBC?
Tirico expects to return to Sunday Night Football on November 15 for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals game at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
The matchup is now expected to become his 300th career NFL broadcast.
His return would reunite him with Collinsworth and Stark, who have worked alongside him on NBC’s Sunday Night Football coverage.
Eagle’s replacement assignment was announced as a temporary arrangement, with no indication that NBC plans to change its regular announcing team.
As of November 9, 2026, NBC has not disclosed further details about Tirico’s medical condition. Eagle completed the Bears-Buccaneers broadcast, while Tirico remains scheduled to return for the Steelers-Bengals game.