ESPN Shakes Up NFL Broadcast Team, 'Dark Horse' Candidate Emerges

The Worldwide Leader is shuffling its on-air talent as part of the ESPN-NFL Network merger.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:06am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the various elements of an NFL broadcast booth - cameras, microphones, and the silhouettes of on-air personalities - broken down into overlapping, angular shapes and planes of color.ESPN's NFL broadcast team shakeup reflects the network's evolving coverage as it merges with NFL Network.Phoenix Today

ESPN is expected to bring in a new booth for its No. 2 NFL broadcast team, with Jason Kelce, the retired Eagles center, emerging as a 'dark horse candidate' on the analyst side. The network is also considering NFL Network's Kurt Warner, as well as ESPN's Dave Pasch and Mike Monaco as potential play-by-play announcers.

Why it matters

The changes to ESPN's NFL broadcast team come as part of the network's merger with NFL Network, which will see ESPN no longer have 'Monday Night Football' doubleheaders. This could impact the availability of the current No. 2 team of Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky and Louis Riddick Jr., who also have college football commitments.

The details

ESPN's No. 1 NFL broadcasting team of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman are entering the final seasons of their five-year, $165 million deal. The pair will call ESPN's first Super Bowl in February 2027. The network is also interested in retaining NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, whose contract is up at the end of the month.

  • ESPN and Disney's merger with NFL Network began on Wednesday.
  • ESPN's $3 billion purchase of NFL Network and other assets was finalized as of January 2026.
  • The NFL received a 10 percent equity stake in ESPN as part of the deal.

The players

Chris Fowler

ESPN's No. 1 college play-by-play announcer.

Dan Orlovsky

ESPN broadcaster who calls college football games and appears in-studio.

Louis Riddick Jr.

ESPN broadcaster who calls college football games and appears in-studio.

Jason Kelce

Retired Eagles center who signed a multi-year broadcast deal with ESPN in May 2024 and is a studio analyst on 'Monday Night Countdown'.

Kurt Warner

NFL Network analyst who is a candidate for the potential new No. 2 booth.

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What’s next

ESPN declined to comment to The Athletic on the potential changes to its NFL broadcast team.

The takeaway

The shakeup of ESPN's NFL broadcast team is a result of the network's merger with NFL Network, which will see changes to the availability of its current No. 2 team. The network is considering a range of new talent, including former NFL player Jason Kelce, as it looks to build out its coverage.