ESPN Is Expected To Change Its No. 2 NFL Announcing Team

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Apr 2, 2026 1:15 PM ET

NFL fans should expect a revamped crew for ESPN's "Monday Night Football" coverage in 2026.

Obviously, color commentator Troy Aikman and play-by-play broadcaster Joe Buck will remain the No. 1 broadcast duo for "Monday Night Football." According to Andrew Marchand of The Athletic, ESPN plans on changing its No. 2 crew of Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky and Louis Riddick.

Dave Pasch and Mike Monaco are reportedly contenders to replace Fowler as the backup play-by-play announcer for "Monday Night Football." Jason Kelce, meanwhile, has emerged as a "dark horse candidate" to replace Orlovsky and Riddick in an analyst role.

ESPN signed Kelce to a multi-year agreement in May 2024. The 13-year NFL veteran has been featured on "Monday Night Countdown" and was even given his own late-night talk show.

While it's possible Kelce will be added to the "Monday Night Football" crew, he's not the only Super Bowl champion being considered for this job. NFL Network’s Kurt Warner is also in the mix, per The Athletic.

NFL fans have clear preference.

Judging by the responses to Marchand's report, NFL fans don't want to hear Kelce's voice in the broadcast booth.

"Trust me when we say this. We don’t want Jason Kelce," one fan replied. "Thank you."

"Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, wants more Jason Kelce," a second fan commented.

"ENOUGH OF JASON KELCE THIS IS ABSURD," another fan wrote on social media.

Although the NFL will move on from its "Monday Night Football" doubleheaders, ESPN could land a few international matchups. That might just be the perfect showcase for the network's No. 2 broadcast crew.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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