Who could replace Troy Aikman on 'MNF'? Five names to watch during possible 2027 broadcasting musical chairs

Who's ready to call some "Monday Night Football"?

On Thursday, Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback and ESPN "MNF" color commentator Troy Aikman told Dallas radio station KTCK he'll be a free agent this offseason, raising questions about who will call games next to play-by-play announcer Joe Buck in 2027 and beyond. In September 2026, The Athletic's Andrew Marchand reported that Buck agreed to a six-year, $108M extension to remain with ESPN through the 2032 season.

While not all free agents eventually leave, considering Aikman's comments ("I'm looking forward to whatever the rest of this season does hold ... and where my next landing spot might be," he added Thursday), plus reports of a simmering rift between him and Buck, the end seems nigh for the 25-year broadcasting duo.

Here are five potential Aikman replacements in the "MNF" booth.

Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs tight end

While Kelce hasn't made his plans beyond 2026 known, he'll be a hot commodity for a possible NFL media gig whenever he retires. Playing on a one-year contract, that could be as soon as this offseason. 

The three-time Super Bowl champion is also friendly with Buck, who attended Kelce's extravagant summer wedding to Taylor Swift, which could make him a natural fit. His brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, also works for the network and is part of its "MNF" pregame and halftime on-site coverage, creating an even stronger tie.

But adding Travis won't be cheap. Aikman signed for five years, $90M, the same annual average ($18M) as former CBS No. 1 color commentator Tony Romo, whose 10-year, $180M 2020 contract was recently severed after the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback was arrested on an OWI charge in July.

Tom Brady's Fox deal (10 years, $375M) is in another stratosphere, but as arguably the NFL's most recognizable non-quarterback, Kelce could command $20M at a minimum. This could create a bidding war where Amazon, another logical destination, finishes with the highest offer.

The "Thursday Night Football" airer may have an opening based on an opt-out clause in color commentator Kirk Herbstreit's contract. Wondery, Amazon's podcasting network, has held exclusive multimedia rights to the Kelce brothers' "New Heights" podcast since 2024 on a three-year deal worth more than $100M. Travis also hosted the first (and as of October 2026, only) season of the Amazon game show "Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?"

The idea of ESPN hiring Travis next offseason has other complications, including the possibility he decides to play a 15th season or, rather than immediately jump into another career, jet-set across the globe with his wife. ESPN may need a wider net.

Jason Kelce, ESPN

The elder Kelce, another soon-to-be media free agent, has been in the booth for the league's international series and received positive early feedback (minus a habit of referring to the Eagles as "we"). The Philadelphia Inquirer floated the possibility of him calling games next to Buck following his first commentating gig in a Week 4 game between the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders, writing that his booth debut arrived "at an interesting time for ESPN" due to Aikman's uncertain status.

Greg Olsen, Fox

In his sixth season as an NFL broadcaster, Olsen has already seen it all, quickly becoming a fan favorite for astute analysis and rising to Fox's No. 1 booth and calling a Super Bowl before being downgraded to the No. 2 crew once Brady entered the booth.

Olsen has earned a higher-profile gig than calling Fox's scraps, and there might be none bigger than "MNF." The Athletic's Richard Deitsch fueled speculation of a possible split between the former Carolina Panthers tight end and Fox this offseason on Thursday, reporting that the two sides have "not had any negotiations " regarding an extension while adding that Olsen held "exploratory talks with CBS Sports" in 2024.