Whether or not a team decides to bring on former Ravens safety Ed Reed in some role this year, he'll have a gig to keep him occupied for throughout the season.
On Thursday, Showtime announced that Reed will be an analyst for its Inside the NFL program, with its new season set to debut on Tuesday, Sept. 2.
"I'm very excited to be part of the Inside the NFL team this season," Reed said in a statement. "It's an honor to work along side such an award winning cast and crew. I look, very much, forward to continuing to work in and promote the game I love so much."
Reed will join Bears receiver Brandon Marshall, Boomer Esiason and Greg Gumbel as newcomers to the program, with former NFL quarterback Phil Simms returning. It's a loaded cast that should provide a lot of mid-week insight to the game.
"We've assembled, perhaps, the most dynamic cast in this show's long history," said Stephen Espinoza, Showtime Sports' executive vice president and general manager. "Of course, the program will continue to deliver breath-taking highlights and exclusive features. And now, we are coupling the respected and accomplished personalities of Simms, Boomer and Greg Gumbel with a defensive perspective from Ed Reed and Brandon Marshall's perspective directly from the field. We are as excited as ever for the new season."
Inside The NFL is entering its seventh season with Showtime. Before moving to Showtime, it was with HBO, debuting there in 1977.
Reed has always been blunt and to the point with reporters in the past, which should make for some great conversations. The show will air each Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST, with the NFL Network replaying each episode the following Wednesday at 9 p.m. EST.