With several networks in hot pursuit of Jason Kelce for a television role, ESPN appears to have a specific idea in mind for the recently retired Eagles center, and it could come with a casualty.
Yet another “Monday Night Football” makeover is in the works and Robert Griffin III’s role on the pregame show “is in jeopardy,” The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reports.
Amazon, CBS and NBC are also interested in Kelce, 36, as ESPN “aggressively” pursues the seven-time Pro Bowler, per the report.
In the wake of last summer’s mass layoffs that saw former host Suzy Kolber get let go, Scott Van Pelt became the new host of “Monday Night Countdown.”
The desk also included RG3, Marcus Spears and Ryan Clark, who re-signed with ESPN last month after a contract impasse.
Spears and Clark are expected to return, according to the report, and features reporter Michelle Beisner-Buck, the wife of play-by-play guy Joe Buck, is also staying on the show.
Larry Fitzgerald, who had a part-time role on the show, is currently not under contract and his future on the program is uncertain, the report said.
Kelce — who hosts the popular “New Heights” podcast with his brother, Chiefs star Travis Kelce — appears as if he’ll be the first domino to fall as the networks consider changes to their NFL personnel for 2024.
Bill Belichick is lingering as a wild card, though he reportedly is not interested in a traditional studio role.
Peyton Manning is trying to sign Belichick for a role with his Omaha Productions company, which partners with ESPN, The Athletic previously reported.
RG3, the former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback who last played for the Ravens in 2020, recently caused a stir by saying in a social media video that USC quarterback Caleb Williams, the likely top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, should “pull an Eli Manning” and refuse to play for the Bears, who hold the No. 1 pick.
“After everything that’s happened with just Justin Fields, can Caleb Williams really look at that and say, ‘You know what? This is the organization that has my best interest at heart and they are going to help develop me into the player that I want to become,’” Griffin said.
Kelce retired earlier this month after 13 NFL seasons, all with the Eagles.
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