Jonathan Vilma to Call Saints' Season Opener as Analyst
The New Orleans Saints will begin their 2026 season on the road, but fans watching at home will have a special treat. Former Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma will serve as an analyst for the team's Week 1 matchup against the Detroit Lions, working alongside play-by-play announcer Kenny Albert.
Vilma, who was originally a first-round pick of the New York Jets in 2004, had a notable career with the Saints after being traded to the team in 2008. He started 16 games in his first season and went on to make multiple Pro Bowls, helping the Saints win the Super Bowl in one of those seasons. Vilma has been working in television since his retirement, including stints at ABC ESPN, NBC, and NBCSN, before joining FOX Sports in 2020.
Vilma will call the Saints' season opener, which is set to take place at 1:00 PM ET in Detroit. This will be his seventh consecutive year working with Kenny Albert, and his third year with reporter Megan Olivi. The game will be a notable experience for Saints fans, who will get to listen to one of their former great players call the action as the team begins its new season.
