ESPN Makes Major Pat McAfee Announcement Ahead of NFL Season

It sure would seem that Pat McAfee is the new face of ESPN.

Key points

• The Athletic's Andrew Marchand pointed to McAfee's move to "Monday Night Countdown" as precursor to his rose involvement with ESPN's Super Bowl coverage in February 2027.
• "Host Scott Van Pelt is back alongside returning analysts Kelce and Marcus Spears, with new additions Pat McAfee and Jason McCourty."
• Kelce will join veteran play-by-play commentator Dave Pasch and Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner.
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It sure would seem that Pat McAfee is the new face of ESPN. That title was previously held by the outspoken Stephen A. Smith, but it appears McAfee. This person lately will earn between $60 million and $65 million per year on his new contract, has now eclipsed him. McAfee already hosts his wildly popular "Pat McAfee Show" Monday through Friday on ESPN, and he's additionally one of five panelists along with Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Nick Saban, and Desmond Howard on the No. 1 college football pregame show, "College GameDay." And now, ESPN is putting even more on McAfee's plate as he's set to become a focal point of the network's NFL coverage next season. "'Monday Night Countdown' returns as the two-hour 'Monday Night Football' pregame show (6-8 p.m., ESPN), and for the first time, will be available on NFL Network this season, " ESPN confirmed on Wednesday. "Host Scott Van Pelt is back alongside returning analysts Kelce and Marcus Spears, with new additions Pat McAfee and Jason McCourty." The Athletic's Andrew Marchand pointed to McAfee's move to "Monday Night Countdown" as precursor to his rose involvement with ESPN's Super Bowl coverage in February 2027. "In the fall, McAfee will be a full part of the ESPN presentation nearly every day of the week – and on Mondays, a dominating presence day and night, " Marchand wrote. ESPN additionally unveiled it was putting some of the talent acquired in the NFL Media purchase to employ as well next season. "NFL Network will introduce new broadcast teams, including the regular booth analyst debut of Super Bowl champion and ESPN NFL analyst Jason Kelce, " the networks remarked in a release. "Kelce will join veteran play-by-play commentator Dave Pasch and Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner. While Molly McGrath will serve as the sideline reporter for both teams.", play-by-play voice Bob Wischusen will partner with longtime ESPN NFL and college football analyst Louis Riddick.

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That title was previously held by the outspoken Stephen A. Smith, but it appears McAfee. This person lately will earn between $60 million and $65 million per year on his new contract, has now eclipsed him.

McAfee already hosts his wildly popular "Pat McAfee Show" Monday through Friday on ESPN, and he's additionally one of five panelists along with Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Nick Saban, and Desmond Howard on the No. 1 college football pregame show, "College GameDay."

And now, ESPN is putting even more on McAfee's plate as he's set to become a focal point of the network's NFL coverage next season.

"'Monday Night Countdown' returns as the two-hour 'Monday Night Football' pregame show (6-8 p.m., ESPN), and for the first time, will be available on NFL Network this season, " ESPN confirmed on Wednesday. "Host Scott Van Pelt is back alongside returning analysts Kelce and Marcus Spears, with new additions Pat McAfee and Jason McCourty."

Notably, the Athletic's Andrew Marchand pointed to McAfee's move to "Monday Night Countdown" as precursor to his rose involvement with ESPN's Super Bowl coverage in February 2027.

"In the fall, McAfee will be a full part of the ESPN presentation nearly every day of the week – and on Mondays, a dominating presence day and night, " Marchand wrote.

ESPN additionally unveiled it was putting some of the talent acquired in the NFL Media purchase to employ as well next season.

"NFL Network will introduce new broadcast teams, including the regular booth analyst debut of Super Bowl champion and ESPN NFL analyst Jason Kelce, " the networks remarked in a release.

"Kelce will join veteran play-by-play commentator Dave Pasch and Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner. While Molly McGrath will serve as the sideline reporter for both teams.", play-by-play voice Bob Wischusen will partner with longtime ESPN NFL and college football analyst Louis Riddick.

For now, ESPN Makes Major Pat McAfee Announcement Ahead of NFL Season remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.