A game of NFL broadcasting musical chairs might be breaking out.
The New York Post reported that Troy Aikman is “expected” to move from his longtime broadcasting home at FOX Sports to ESPN, to be the analyst on Monday Night Football.
What does that mean for the MNF combo of Steve Levy, Brian Griese and Louis Riddick Jr.? Seems like that answer isn’t coming yet. But let’s turn our attention to who could replace Aikman at FOX should this deal with ESPN become official.
There have been some names we’ve seen as potential candidates, so here’s a roundup of names:
1
Greg Olsen
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
The Post reports the former NFL tight end could be a candidate. He’s done a great job on the air with Kevin Burkhardt.
2
Sean McVay
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The rumblings about him possibly leaving the Rams for the broadcasting world were everywhere before the Super Bowl. Would he really leave the game for FOX?
3
Drew Brees
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
The former Saints quarterback spent the 2021 season with NBC.
4
Sean Payton
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
The former Saints coach is a name being thrown around … but elevating him to the top spot immediately would be kind of surprising (hey, it worked for Tony Romo!).
There’s this report:
BREAKING: @FoxSports wants to hire New Orleans @Saints coach Sean Payton if Troy Aikman bolts for Amazon, sources tell @FOS. #seanpayton #nfl #saints.https://t.co/dfwPZdtaPy
— Michael McCarthy (@MMcCarthyREV) January 23, 2022
5
Michael Strahan
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The decision for FOX now to replace Aikman on the A with Joe Buck has to come down to Greg Olsen and Michael Strahan. I don’t think you can go wrong with either.
— Tyler Jones (@TylerJonesLive) February 24, 2022
Could FOX grab someone like Strahan from their pre- and post-game coverage?
6
Pete Carroll
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
From ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler back in January:
As I prepared for the coaching carousel this offseason, several well-informed people brought up Payton or Carroll becoming television stars sooner than later. Nothing was founded, but the chatter was prevalent enough to become a prediction in the eyes of some evaluators. …
Carroll’s sunny disposition would be perfect for TV, and he turns 71 in September. He doesn’t appear ready to give up coaching, but a cushy spot on-air could be waiting for him.
Hmm!
7
John Lynch
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
From the Post again:
Fox will also wait if a mystery candidate, someone not apparent right now, arises. 49ers GM and ex-TV game analyst John Lynch could fall into this category for either Amazon or Fox.
