NFL RedZone host Scott Hanson has secured another commentary role as rumors continue to swirl regarding where he might end up next in his career.
According to FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz, Hanson – who apologized over RedZone backlash last season – is slated to become the “new in-game voice” for EA Sports’ Madden NFL 26. He will step into the recording studio this spring to record snippets of the game, which is expected to be released in August, per MLFootball.
It remains to be seen, however, exactly how Schultz’s iconic vocals will be used in this year’s version of the video game franchise. Brandon Gaudin and Charles Davis served as the play-by-play announcer and color analyst for Madden 25, respectively, with Greg Olsen, Mike Tirico, Brock Huard, and Kate Scott additionally set to be featured in the 2026 game.
Over the last decade-plus, Hanson has established himself as a mainstay of NFL Sundays while hosting “NFL RedZone,” which launched back in 2009 and has starred the 53-year-old in the studio ever since. But the broadcaster’s contract with NFL media expired following the 2024-25 campaign, with Front Office Sports reporting that he’d be mulling over his options in free agency.
Though Hanson is “still in negotiations to return to NFL Media,” negotiations between the two sides “have stalled… amid negotiations for ESPN to take over NFL Media and NFL RedZone,” per Front Office Sports.
Amid his uncertain future with the company, FOS’ Michael McCarthy reported that Hanson has engaged in conversations with NBC Sports regarding a “wide-ranging job that could include Olympics and NFL coverage.” During the 2024 Paris Games, he was introduced as a voice on Peacock’s “Gold Zone” – during which he provided commentary over gold medal events.
“Scott brought his inimitable enthusiasm and energy to Gold Zone. NFL fans loved watching him transfer his ‘all-in’ mentality from football Sundays to the Paris Olympics,” NBC Olympics production president Molly Solomon told Front Office Sports last September.
“Each of our four hosts brought his own unique personality to the show, and Scott was certainly a key contributor to our process of re-imagining how Gold Zone could be experienced and consumed going forward.”
DON’T MISS:
Throughout the 2024 NFL season, Hanson additionally appeared in multiple commercials for Lowe’s alongside several of the league’s best players.
Taking to social media back in February, Hanson publicly addressed the rumors surrounding his potential union with NBC Sports. “1st Sunday with no football… I’m right there with ya,” he wrote on X. “I know some of you want me to talk about those other things floating around out there. I will in time. Just please know: *I love our Sundays together*! “And I’ll always serve you to the best of my ability – no matter what. Appreciate you all! Much love.”
