ESPN is zeroing in on splitting its extra NFL games between longtime play-by-play broadcasters Dave Pasch and Bob Wischusen, meaning Chris Fowler will no longer be an NFL game caller for the network, sources briefed on ESPN’s decision-making told The Athletic.
ESPN is still eyeing Jason Kelce as a game analyst, but he is unlikely to call all the games in that new role. ESPN is also considering Kurt Warner and Louis Riddick for some broadcasts, according to sources.
ESPN declined comment.
The network will have eight extra games outside of its main Monday Night Football schedule, with seven of them on the NFL Network, which ESPN acquired earlier this year. Five of them are international games in October and November. The fact that the games are overseas eliminated Fowler from continuing on ESPN’s NFL team.
Fowler, Riddick and Dan Orlovsky had been ESPN’s No. 2 team for NFL games. Fowler will remain as ESPN’s No. 1 voice on college football. Orlovsky will continue as a main presence on ESPN’s NFL Live and other studio shows.
Pasch and Wischusen are longtime college football announcers for ESPN. Each also calls local NFL radio, with Pasch the voice of the Arizona Cardinals and Wischusen calling New York Jets games. The scheduling issues with their teams would need to be resolved to accommodate ESPN. Both Pasch and Wischusen are expected to continue on ESPN’s college football when they are not calling ESPN NFL games.
Pasch is in the midst of contract negotiations, delaying any official decisions until those details are agreed upon. Pasch is ESPN’s No. 2 NBA play-by-play announcer, while Wischusen has the same role on the NHL’s coverage.
Kelce has become omnipresent on ESPN, with his biggest role working as an analyst on Monday Night Football’s pregame show. Warner teamed with Rich Eisen on NFL Network broadcasts before ESPN bought the network. Eisen is not under consideration to continue in the play-by-play role.
Riddick has been calling NFL games since 2020. He was originally on ESPN’s lead booth with Steve Levy and Brian Griese.
ESPN’s No. 1 NFL team is Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, while Peyton and Eli Manning do select weeks with their “Manningcast.” ESPN will end next season in February, as the 47-year-old network will televise its first Super Bowl on Feb. 14, 2027. It will be simulcast on ABC, as well.