Quinn Names Manning, McAfee, Olsen as Aikman Replacements
Former Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn floated three candidates to succeed Troy Aikman on ESPN's Monday Night Football broadcast if he leaves.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Football
On a podcast discussion, Brady Quinn named Pat McAfee, Peyton Manning, and Greg Olsen as possible replacements for Troy Aikman, who remains ESPN's lead Monday Night Football analyst. Quinn's list was speculative and did not establish that ESPN had contacted any of the three.
Why it matters
The Monday Night Football booth is one of the most visible broadcast positions in American sports, so speculation about its future draws attention to who may shape national game coverage. Quinn said Olsen has been rumored for the spot because of his work on television.
Quinn named three candidates on the podcast "2 Pros and a Cup of Joe," with Manning working on the ManningCast and McAfee already employed by ESPN. Olsen and Joe Buck overlapped at Fox but were never regular broadcast partners, and no contract or hiring decision has been reported.
The players
Brady Quinn
Former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback who now works as a football analyst and offered the replacement list on the podcast "2 Pros and a Cup of Joe."
Troy Aikman
Hall of Fame quarterback who serves as ESPN's lead Monday Night Football analyst and is the subject of the speculation about his successor.
Pat McAfee
Former NFL punter turned sports media personality who already works with ESPN and was named as a possible booth candidate.
Peyton Manning
Retired NFL quarterback and broadcaster known for the ManningCast alternative telecast, named as a possible Monday Night Football candidate.
Greg Olsen
Former NFL tight end and broadcaster who was rumored as a candidate for the Monday night spot and previously was considered by Fox as a partner for Joe Buck.
The details
Drew Brees told Front Office Sports that he would want the Monday Night Football role if Aikman leaves, answering "Of course" when asked. Brees currently calls games for Fox alongside Adam Amin, and Fox had considered Olsen as a partner for Buck before Buck followed Aikman to ESPN.
Timeline
Nov. 12, 2026: Quinn's comments on Monday Night Football replacements were made.
Nov. 13, 2026: The discussion was published.
Season Trajectory
The speculation about who will call Monday Night Football follows the recent reshuffling of top announcing pairs, including Buck and Aikman's move from Fox to ESPN. How ESPN fills the booth will affect the network's national broadcast lineup as the season progresses.
Viewers who watch Monday Night Football on ESPN may see a different lead analyst in the booth if Aikman departs. Fantasy and betting audiences tracking broadcast coverage should note that no change has been announced.
The takeaway
Broadcast booth changes often come with little warning, so fans should rely on official network announcements rather than podcast speculation when assessing who will call games.
Further reading
For more on the league's broadcast landscape, see our Football coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pro Football Network.
