Jason Witten is leaving the Monday Night Football booth and the question is: what’s next? Here are the five best options for ESPN at the moment (all include Booger McFarland staying)
Louis Riddick
If ESPN is going to stay in house, Louis Riddick has to be an option. He is their top NFL analyst right now and has long been overdue for a promotion from his current show-to-show role. While probably not the most likely candidate, Riddick would quickly make Monday Night Football one of the more enjoyable listens. He is honest, informed, entertaining, and doesn’t overpraise players and coaches a la how Jon Gruden once did.
Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner makes a lot of sense for this job. He is a witty analyst that most viewers would recognize. Warner has looked primed for a full-time booth gig when he has done it for the NFL Network. When ESPN searched to replace Gruden a year ago, Warner reportedly came in second to Witten. Could one year later be a different story?
Just Booger and Tess
This would the easiest and the most logical route for ESPN to take. There is no need to replace Witten because they never needed three talents in the booth. Booger was a standout this past season and is more than capable of being a successful sole color commentator on Monday Football next to Joe Tessitore. As long as he is not doing it in the ridiculously distracting Booger Mobile, of course.
Dan Orlovsky
Dan Orlovsky is a long shot, but can’t be ruled out. All indications coming from the industry are that he is, or is going to be a star. He is already the closest thing to Kirk Herbstreit. Orlovsky would be a unique choice and has more potential than any other viable option. His personality would mesh with Tessitore’s unmatch energy, as well.
Greg Olsen
Greg Olsen has to be the odds on favorite for this gig. ESPN was already in a “face-off” for Olsen with Fox, according to Andrew Marchand. Seemingly, ESPN would be an easy choice for Olsen if they offer him the position. And that is not just over Fox but over playing another year in the NFL. Olsen has impressed in minimal booth work in the past and would project to be an upgrade over Jason Witten.
