Football has been slowly coming back for the past two weeks or so, but today, Sunday, September 13, football is truly, truly back, with our first full Sunday slate of the NFL season. With tailgates happening all across the country, CBS’s pregame show decided to take part in the festivities a bit while broadcasting from Minneapolis ahead of the Minnesota Vikings’ season opener against the Green Bay Packers.
And what tried-and-true tailgate staple did the CBS look to when in need of a snack? Why, of course, Arby’s steak nuggets.
In an extremely brutal sponsored segment, Nate Burleson spread the holy gospel of the steak nuggets to the masses.
“Steak nuggets should be positioned as an alternative to the regular nugget, normally found at the normal fan fast food chains,” Burleson said. “You’ve got to upgrade your nugget routine!”
Burleson is just doing his job, but it’s safe to say that Arby’s is certainly getting their money’s worth with the conviction with which Burleson is selling.
‘The NFL Today’ becomes an Arby’s ad just over 20 minutes into the season premiere of the CBS NFL pregame show. pic.twitter.com/AHoVBgAsYA
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 13, 2026
The idea of a steak nugget is not a bad one, and maybe Nate is right, and they do deserve to be “positioned as an alternative to the regular nugget.” But even if it was an alternative to the regular nugget, who the heck is having nuggets at a tailgate?
Beyond that, this is our first NFL Sunday of the season. Can we not enjoy one simple pregame show unsullied by such in-your-face product placement before we get to the “Arby’s is doing nuggets differently!” part of the season?
Apparently not. Fans took notice.
Nothing says authentic tailgating like the CBS pregame crew passing out Arby’s nuggets.
— Bryan Curtis (@bryancurtis) September 13, 2026
Dear @NFLonCBS doing a live Arby’s commercial as part of your pregame show is not only lame, but it’s as low class as you can get!
👎🏻— Dayton Jenks 🇺🇸 (@C_Dayton_Jenks) September 13, 2026
They giving out Arby’s steak nuggets on the CBS broadcast, lemme cut this shit off
— JT (@ThatDamnJosh_) September 13, 2026
arby’s steak nuggets ad directly in the middle of the CBS broadcast where is the shame
— kels 🧸 (@ohioisgood) September 13, 2026
The NFL is big business, as are NFL pregame shows, and in today’s media environment, you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do. But while CBS may be compelled to promote steak nuggets far and wide, you have the power within you to enjoy a tailgate however you like. Preferably with beer and a hot dog, offered by a stranger in a parking lot wearing the same shirt as you are.
About Tyler Lauletta
Tyler is a editorial contributor at Awful Announcing, with previous stops at Sports Illustrated and Business Insider during his career covering sports in digital media. He is, begrudgingly, a Truster of the Process and general Philly sports sicko.