Ox 51
Musclechemistry Guru
Sam Cooper,Yahoo Sports•March 18, 2019
ESPN is reportedly going after future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning for a spot in the “Monday Night Football” booth.
With Jason Witten leaving the media world to return to the Dallas Cowboys, the network has an opening alongside Joe Tessitore and Booger McFarland for its Monday night broadcasts. In an effort to potentially fill that void, ESPN executives flew out to Denver on March 11 to meet with Manning, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Per the Hollywood Reporter, it’s not clear whether Manning, who retired in early 2016 after winning Super Bowl 50 with the Denver Broncos, is interested in making a move into broadcasting.
Manning, with his prodigious football acumen and well-documented sense of humor, has been pursued by ESPN — and other networks — in the past. When Jon Gruden left the MNF booth before the 2018 season to take the head-coaching job with the Oakland Raiders, Manning reportedly turned down an offer to join ESPN.
When Manning declined the opportunity, ESPN went with the three-man booth of Tessitore, McFarland and Witten with mixed results. Witten, a first-time broadcaster, became an internet punching bag for some of his rookie moments in the booth. The trio’s chemistry improved as the season progressed, as did Witten’s comfort level in his role.
When Witten, seemingly out of the blue, decided to return to the field for the Dallas Cowboys, ESPN was left to look for a replacement. Manning, who has a presence at ESPN breaking down quarterback play for ESPN+ show “Detail,” could bring the kind of buzz the network is seeking, especially with Tony Romo’s ascendance at CBS.
ESPN is reportedly going after future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning for a spot in the “Monday Night Football” booth.
With Jason Witten leaving the media world to return to the Dallas Cowboys, the network has an opening alongside Joe Tessitore and Booger McFarland for its Monday night broadcasts. In an effort to potentially fill that void, ESPN executives flew out to Denver on March 11 to meet with Manning, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Per the Hollywood Reporter, it’s not clear whether Manning, who retired in early 2016 after winning Super Bowl 50 with the Denver Broncos, is interested in making a move into broadcasting.
Manning, with his prodigious football acumen and well-documented sense of humor, has been pursued by ESPN — and other networks — in the past. When Jon Gruden left the MNF booth before the 2018 season to take the head-coaching job with the Oakland Raiders, Manning reportedly turned down an offer to join ESPN.
When Manning declined the opportunity, ESPN went with the three-man booth of Tessitore, McFarland and Witten with mixed results. Witten, a first-time broadcaster, became an internet punching bag for some of his rookie moments in the booth. The trio’s chemistry improved as the season progressed, as did Witten’s comfort level in his role.
When Witten, seemingly out of the blue, decided to return to the field for the Dallas Cowboys, ESPN was left to look for a replacement. Manning, who has a presence at ESPN breaking down quarterback play for ESPN+ show “Detail,” could bring the kind of buzz the network is seeking, especially with Tony Romo’s ascendance at CBS.
