Nate Burleson’s Sneaky Square: Is He Ditching Hollywood’s Game Early, or Hiding a Slam Dunk to Steal the Scene?

March 22, 2025
Nate Burleson, the NFL-star-turned-TV-dynamo, is lighting up 2025 with Hollywood Squares—and fans are loving it! The CBS reboot, with Drew Barrymore and Nikki Glaser in the boxes, has Nate’s smooth energy winning big since late 2024. But at 43, the talk’s heating up: is he already bolting from this tic-tac-toe chaos, or cooking a knockout twist to snag the spotlight? The game’s on.

Nate’s a natural—years on CBS Mornings and NFL commentary honed his charm, and Squares lets it shine. This year’s laughs, star-studded squares, and his easy vibe pull 4 million viewers a week. “I’m here to have fun,” he grins, and it shows. But is he settling in? “He’s hinted at bigger dreams,” a source teases. “This might just be a pit stop.”

Who’d fill his square? Fans toss out Kenan Thompson for comedy cred, or CBS pal Gayle King for clout. “Someone’s gotta keep it lively,” one tweets. Nate’s cool, chuckling, “I’m not rushing off.” Off-screen, he’s dad to three with wife Atoya, juggling family and fame in New Jersey. Is home pulling him back, or is TV his new field?

Hollywood Squares’s a hit—retro vibes, fresh faces, and Nate’s swagger keep it buzzing. “He’s the perfect fit,” producer Nancy Kanter says. But with game show giants like Feud looming, is he planning a power play? “I’ll host ‘til the X’s run out,” he laughs. 2025’s alive—whispers of a sports gig or solo show swirl. Is he ducking out, or dropping a big score?

Nate’s not fading—he’s thriving in TV’s playful chaos. “It’s about the vibe,” he says, and fans can’t look away. Will he dodge the grid, or slam a game-changer? The next square’s a mystery.