If you’re getting tired of Pat McAfee, you’re not going to be thrilled about ESPN’s latest announcement.
With the 2026 NFL season less than a month away, ESPN announced that McAfee is joining the “Monday Night Countdown” crew. He’ll get to work with Jason Kelce, Jason McCourty, Marcus Spears and Scott Van Pelt.
“Monday Night Countdown returns as the two-hour Monday Night Football pregame show (6–8 p.m., ESPN), and for the first time, will be available on NFL Network this season,” ESPN said in a press release. “Host Scott Van Pelt is back alongside returning analysts Kelce and Marcus Spears, with new additions Pat McAfee and Jason McCourty. Additionally, Warner will periodically join Monday Night Countdown on-site for select segments throughout the season.”
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Although some fans believe ESPN is overexposing McAfee, the former NFL punter is ready to prove his doubters wrong.
“Tis an honor to be a part of MNF in any capacity. I hope I can be an asset as we start the journey to The Biggest Super Bowl of all time in LA on ESPN and ABC. College GameDay on Saturday.. Monday Night Countdown on Monday.. I’m the luckiest man on Earth. Football has been so good to me and my family.. I will try my best to continue to give back to it,” McAfee wrote on X. “We started this show in the basement.. no agent.. no publicist.. no manager.. no PR firm.. just a love of sport and it’s people. So thankful for it all and for all of you who have followed along with this absurdly dumb life. The Fall Football Tour starts in Baton Rouge on September 5th.. Let’s GOOOOO.”
ESPN clearly values Pat McAfee.
Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reported in June that McAfee is set to receive a $60 million salary from ESPN.
By adding McAfee to “Monday Night Countdown,” ESPN is making sure it gets its money’s worth.
Will NFL fans eventually get on board with McAfee covering the league in this capacity? Only time will tell.
