Hate Cris Collinsworth? Christmas comes one week early for Bears fans

By Associated Press

Cris Collinsworth will be replaced by Kurt Warner in two late-season broadcasts, including Bears-Lions on NBC and the NFL Network. | Mark Tenally/AP

NEW YORK — Kurt Warner will replace Cris Collinsworth for two late-season NFL game telecasts.

Former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner shows his Football Hall of Fame ring during his ring ceremony at half time of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) ORG XMIT: AZMY134

The Hall of Fame quarterback will be the analyst with play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico for the Dec. 16 Chicago-Detroit game on NFL Network, and for the Christmas game of Pittsburgh at Houston on NBC and NFLN. Tirico has been joined by Collinsworth for most Thursday night games handled by NBC in the second half of the NFL schedule this year. Collinsworth has scheduling conflicts on Dec. 16 and 25.

Warner has been an NFL Network studio analyst since 2010 and also has worked Monday night games for Westwood One since 2014. He entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August.

“There is nothing I enjoy more than being at the stadium on game day, being able to watch the action up close, and experience the energy of the fans,” Warner says.

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