ESPN has tinkered with its “Monday Night time Soccer” programming constantly during the last decade, however the final couple of seasons noticed it endure seismic shifts.
Play-by-play man Joe Buck and analyst Troy Aikman had been lured away from Fox to function the “Monday Night time Soccer” sales space. Peyton and Eli Manning launched their alternate “Manningcast” in 2021, and it turned a smash hit.
Final season, veteran MNF pregame host Suzy Kolber was changed by Scott Van Pelt after a collection of ESPN layoffs in June forward of the season. Steve Younger — a staple of this system — was additionally let go, which allowed Robert Griffin III, Marcus Spears and Ryan Clark to headline the expertise for this system.
MORE: What’s subsequent for Jason Kelce? Teaching, TV analyst amongst potential gigs
Now, ESPN seems to be taking a look at one other shake-up of its pregame present lineup. The community’s goal? Former Eagles heart Jason Kelce.
Jason Kelce ESPN rumors
ESPN is “aggressively pursuing” Kelce to fill one in every of its analyst roles on “Monday Night time Countdown,” per The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand.
Kelce retired from the NFL in the course of the 2024 offseason after 13 seasons with the Eagles however is considered as a possible star NFL TV analyst because of his mixture of charisma, NFL information and media expertise.
He already hosts the favored “New Heights” broadcast along with his brother, Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce, and carried out properly as a visitor analyst on Amazon Prime’s “Thursday Night time Soccer” throughout Week 10’s Bears-Panthers sport.
That is why ESPN is not alone in its pursuit of Kelce. NBC, CBS and Amazon Prime are all focusing on the 36-year-old for roles of their NFL protection, per Marchand.
MORE: The story behind unflattering faculty photograph of Jason and Travis Kelce
ESPN’s plan would doubtless contain signing Kelce to exchange Griffin on the “MNF” pregame present. Griffin was “considered as a rising star on the community, however he has leveled off, placing him at critical threat of being out on Mondays,” per Marchand.
The opposite networks have openings as properly. CBS notably has but to signal any of Nate Burleson, Invoice Cowher, Boomer Esiason and Phil Simms to proceed their roles on “The NFL At present” subsequent season. That, and CBS’ New York-based location, may make them an intriguing match for Kelce.
Amazon Prime might compete for him as properly. As talked about, he appeared on the streaming big’s Week 10 “Thursday Night time Soccer” broadcast and the community additionally produced a documentary about his 2022 season.
It is not but clear which community has the benefit within the Kelce sweepstakes or if the longer term Corridor of Famer will be part of the TV ranks this season.
But when Kelce desires to remain across the sport — one thing he intimated was doubtless in a 45-minute assertion learn at his retirement information convention — there can be alternatives for him to take action by furthering his broadcast profession.
