ESPN axes 'Monday Night Football' regular to make room for Jason Kelce
After calling time on his legendary career with the Eagles, Jason Kelce has joined ESPN's 'Monday Night Football' - and one member has been cut to make room
ESPN has officially demoted Robert Griffin III from the network’s "Monday Night Football" coverage to make room for Jason Kelce. Following his retirement from a legendary playing career with the Philadelphia Eagles, Kelce has signed with ESPN as he begins his next chapter as a member of NFL broadcasting.
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Riding the wave of momentum to stardom on the back of his popular "New Heights" podcast with brother Travis, Kelce was reportedly being chased by numerous networks to join a broadcast team for the 2024 NFL season after he called time on his illustrious career earlier this offseason. Amid all the options before him, the former center opted to join ESPN.
On Tuesday, ESPN announced Kelce will join its pregame show "Monday Night Countdown" during the regular season. The popular show covers all narratives with each personality and analyst giving their prediction before kickoff.
Kelce will also make appearances on Super Bowl studio coverage as well as ESPN’s coverage of the 2027 Super Bowl. The 36-year-old won Super Bowl LII with the Eagles, missing out on a second ring when Philadelphia fell to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII.
“Jason is a highly respected, Super Bowl Champion with a strong connection to fans,” Burke Magnus, ESPN president of content, said. “Walking off the field and immediately to ESPN, viewers will benefit from his perspective which has been shaped through his years as an established locker room leader and a future Hall of Fame center.
“Jason’s addition to Monday Night Countdown will greatly strengthen our NFL coverage.”
However, the addition of Kelce means Griffin has been demoted. He originally joined the show in 2022 to replace Randy Moss, but only spent two seasons in the role. The former Washington quarterback - selected second overall in the 2012 NFL Draft - will remain with ESPN, continuing to do studio work while calling games for the network. Upon the announcement, Kelce expressed his excitement to join the Monday Night Football team.
“Turns out, it was a short retirement!” Kelce said. “I’m excited to join ESPN, and particularly the Monday Night Countdown team.
“ESPN was a consistent presence in our household growing up and the network helped shape who I am and my love of all sports. To now appear on that same screen is a full circle moment. And, I mean it’s freaking Monday Night Football! and I’m ready for some football.”
Kelce's Monday Night Football schedule will be unveiled when the NFL releases the official league schedule on Wednesday, May 15. The Eagles icon will make his debut for the network when the New York Jets face the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1 on Monday Night Football.
