Patrick Says McAfee Shouldn't Replace Aikman
The ESPN broadcaster said he does not want Pat McAfee taking over Troy Aikman's Monday Night Football booth seat.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Football
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ESPN veteran Dan Patrick said he does not want Pat McAfee replacing Troy Aikman in the Monday Night Football broadcast booth. McAfee responded on X that the report was not real and that there had been zero conversation about it.
Why it matters
The discussion comes amid tension between Joe Buck and Troy Aikman in the ESPN booth, and Aikman's contract expires after Super Bowl LXI, leaving his future on the broadcast uncertain for U.S. football viewers.
Joe Buck's six-year, $108 million extension was reported in May 2026, while Aikman's deal runs only through February 2027. No public ESPN decision on Aikman's future has been announced.
The players
Dan Patrick
Dan Patrick is a veteran ESPN broadcaster and host of The Dan Patrick Show who has long been a prominent voice in sports media.
Pat McAfee
Pat McAfee is a former NFL punter who became a popular sports media personality hosting his own show, Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show.
Troy Aikman
Troy Aikman is a Hall of Fame quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys who has served as a lead color analyst on ESPN's Monday Night Football broadcasts.
Joe Buck
Joe Buck is a veteran play-by-play announcer who has been one of the most recognized voices in American sports broadcasting for decades.
Jimmy Pitaro
Jimmy Pitaro is the president of ESPN who oversees the network's sports programming and broadcast strategy.
The details
Patrick said he does not want McAfee taking over the Monday Night Football booth, a claim McAfee denied on X. Front Office Sports columnist Michael McCarthy had suggested in October that McAfee could replace Aikman, and ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro reportedly met with Aikman for an hour before a Week 5 game between the Bills and Rams.
Timeline
October 2023: McCarthy suggested McAfee could replace Aikman, which McAfee denied.
Week 5: Pitaro held a one-hour meeting with Aikman before the Bills-Rams game.
May 2026: Joe Buck received a six-year, $108 million ESPN extension.
February 2027: Aikman's ESPN contract expires after Super Bowl LXI.
Season Trajectory
Network booth reshuffles like CBS's decision to replace Tony Romo with J.J. Watt show how high-profile NFL analyst slots are actively contested across broadcasters. The ESPN dispute over Aikman's future follows that same pattern of networks reworking marquee Monday Night Football and national broadcast lineups.
Viewers of Monday Night Football could see a different color analyst next season depending on whether ESPN extends Aikman. Fantasy and betting audiences tracking broadcast commentary should watch for any official ESPN announcement on the booth lineup.
The takeaway
Broadcast booth assignments can shift quickly when contracts near expiration, so fans should watch for official ESPN announcements rather than speculation. The Aikman situation will likely clarify once his contract talks conclude after the 2027 Super Bowl.
What happens next
Aikman's ESPN contract expires after Super Bowl LXI in February 2027, when ESPN will need to decide on his future in the booth.
Further reading
Explore more Football coverage for context on the NFL broadcast landscape.
Source note: This article includes information reported by EssentiallySports.
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