NFL fans weren’t happy with what they heard from Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football broadcast team during the Week 8 showdown between the Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

Play-by-play announcer Al Michaels and analyst Kirk Herbstreit came under fire on social media for early-game missed calls and controversial hot takes on wide receiver performance.

Fans React to Missed Calls and Kirk Herbstreit’s Commentary

The criticism started on the opening kickoff when Packers returner Coleman Owen fumbled the ball. Carolina linebacker Nick Hampton recovered it, but the broadcast team failed to notice the fumble and recovery in real time, leaving viewers confused about what had happened.

Herbstreit drew more criticism in the second quarter after a play involving Matthew Golden. On a second-and-13 for Green Bay, the analyst suggested the receiver had “dropped” the pass, but he overlooked how difficult it was for Golden to adjust to the throw.

Golden quickly had the last word on the field, finding the end zone for a touchdown. His response led fans to question Herbstreit’s earlier criticism and several of his other comments during the game.

One fan didn’t hold back, writing, “Kirk Herbstreit is so insufferable for so many different reasons.”

Analyst AJ Cola also questioned Herbstreit’s assessment of Golden’s play, pointing out how difficult the catch was. “Herbstreit talking about that Golden drop like it was the simplest catch ever. That’s a really, really high degree of difficulty catch. Glad he got a TD the next play,” Cola wrote.

Analyst Jeff Soto took a more sarcastic approach, posting, “Man is Herbstreit a bag of wind or what? Who knew toast could talk?”

Another viewer expressed frustration with the commentary, writing, “I need Kirk Herbstreit out of my life.”

Analyst Matthew Cardenas also joined the criticism, saying, “Herbstreit is so bad in the NFL booth, man.”

Could Amazon Make Changes to Its Thursday Night Football Booth?

Herbstreit joined Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football broadcast in March 2022, teaming up with veteran announcer Al Michaels as the streaming platform launched its exclusive NFL package. However, questions about the future of major NFL broadcast booths have recently drawn attention to the pairing.

Troy Aikman’s contract situation with ESPN is one reason for the speculation. The Hall of Fame quarterback is in the final year of his $90 million deal, and ESPN has yet to approach him about an extension despite signing Joe Buck to a six-year contract. Aikman has acknowledged there is a “50-50 chance” he will not return to television next season.

Meanwhile, Herbstreit has signed a three-year extension with Amazon. However, reports suggest his deal includes yearly buyout options, potentially giving the streaming platform flexibility if it decides to pursue another prominent NFL broadcaster.

With Aikman potentially becoming available, speculation about a possible change will continue until the dust settles on this round of musical chairs.