CBS Sports President David Berson Suspends Legendary Broadcaster Jim Nantz just hours after his disrespectful remarks toward the Steelers, right before the crucial Browns–Steelers matchup this Sunday.

New York, New York – December 26, 2025

The NFL media world was rocked just hours before the pivotal matchup between the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers, when David Berson, Chairman of CBS Sports, made the decision to suspend legendary broadcaster Jim Nantz following remarks widely viewed as disrespectful and directly aimed at veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

According to multiple internal sources, the incident stemmed from a pregame analysis segment recorded for CBS’s Sunday broadcast. While discussing the Browns–Steelers matchup and Rodgers’ role under center, Nantz delivered a brief but explosive comment that immediately ignited backlash, touching directly on the quarterback’s age and standing in the league.

“At some point, older quarterbacks have to understand that it’s time to step aside.”

The remark spread rapidly across social media, triggering fierce reactions from Steelers fans, former NFL players, and media analysts alike. For many, the statement crossed the line from football analysis into personal dismissal—especially given that it targeted a four-time MVP and one of the defining quarterbacks of his era on the eve of a crucial game with playoff implications.

Within hours of the clip circulating, CBS Sports acted decisively. The suspension of Jim Nantz was signed directly by David Berson—an extraordinary move underscoring how seriously network leadership viewed the situation, regardless of Nantz’s iconic status and decades-long legacy in American sports broadcasting.

“We respect a wide range of football opinions, but when a statement crosses the line of respect and runs counter to the core values CBS represents, silence is no longer an option; our responsibility is to protect the fairness, integrity, and professional standards of the sport, and when those standards are challenged, action becomes mandatory,” Berson said in a statement.

Nantz, whose voice has been synonymous with the NFL’s biggest moments for generations, was reportedly caught off guard by the decision. However, sources close to the network emphasized that CBS intended to send a clear message: no individual—no matter how iconic—is above professional standards or basic respect toward players.

For the Steelers, the controversy erupted at a sensitive moment, with Aaron Rodgers facing intense scrutiny as he attempts to lead Pittsburgh past Cleveland and solidify the team’s postseason position. Inside the Steelers’ locker room, CBS’s decision was viewed as a firm reminder that the line between sharp analysis and personal disparagement cannot be erased.

This Sunday, Browns and Steelers will settle everything on the field. But beyond the sidelines, the Jim Nantz suspension and David Berson’s swift response have become a stark warning across the NFL: in today’s league, words carry weight—and legacy is not a shield against accountability.