The Sunday Night Football broadcast of the Week 9 NFL matchup on NBC Sports was missing one familiar voice. Longtime broadcaster Mike Tirico pulled himself out of the booth hours before kickoff due to an undisclosed health issue.

He was replaced by NBC’s designated backup for major NFL broadcasts, Noah Eagle, who stepped in on short notice to call the Chicago Bears-Tampa Bay Buccaneers game.

The Bears won the game, defeating the Bucs 27-24. However, one of the aspects that stood out to fans was the broadcast coverage. Eagle’s commentary drew mixed reactions, with fans debating whether he was the right choice to fill in for Tirico.

NFL Fans Issue Blunt Reactions to Noah Eagle’s Week 9 SNF Coverage

NBC Sports PR announced Tirico’s absence on Sunday afternoon. Tirico explained that he unfortunately had to miss the game due to his health but was looking forward to watching from home and returning to the booth the following week. Neither Tirico nor the network provided specific details about the nature of his illness.

Fans who watched the game and listened to Eagle’s commentary were quick to share their reactions on social media.

“Where is Mike Tirico?? This new guy with Collinsworth, it’s quite painful,” wrote one fan on X.

“Noah Eagle and his corny jokes are making this game unwatchable,” said another fan.

“People are actually saying positive things about Noah Eagle? He’s absolutely unbearable as a commentator,” wrote another user.

While some fans were critical of the commentary, many others enjoyed having Eagle in the booth.

“Kudos to Noah Eagle, less than 24 hours after calling Miami/Notre Dame, for pinch hitting and calling the Bucs/Bears tonight. A rising star in the business,” wrote another fan on X.

“Can he replace Al Michaels already?” said this user.

Another fan gave a shoutout to Eagle’s father, Ian Eagle, writing, “Noah Eagle, much like his father Ian, is someone who can work with any analyst.”

Eagle currently serves as NBC’s lead play-by-play announcer for college football and as a primary backup for the network’s NFL broadcast team in situations like this.

He joined NBC in 2023 and has since expanded his role to include an NFL Wild Card game, French Open tennis, Team USA basketball at the Paris Olympics, and NBC’s NBA coverage.

While uncertainty surrounding Tirico’s health remains, he is expected to return for the Week 10 matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati. The game is scheduled for an 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff on Sunday, November 15.