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The biggest-picture takeaway from ESPN's determination to part ways pinch Ryan Clark is that it opens a spot connected nan network's sum of its first-ever Super Bowl this February.
Clark was 1 of 3 analysts connected "Monday Night Countdown," which is expected to service arsenic ESPN's charismatic Super Bowl pregame and halftime show. Jason Kelce and Marcus Spears are nan different analysts, while Scott Van Pelt is expected to return arsenic host.
From ESPN's perspective, nan timing makes sense. The Super Bowl halftime show could tie much than 140 cardinal viewers. The web could not let Clark to correspond nan marque during its biggest broadcast ever, fixed his history of bigoted remarks.
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So, present are 5 imaginable replacements for ESPN:
Kurt Warner
Of nan soul candidates, Kurt Warner makes nan astir sense.
As portion of ESPN's acquisition of NFL Network assets, nan institution now has entree to Warner. He would springiness nan web a Hall of Fame backmost connected nan panel, thing that has traditionally been a staple of awesome NFL workplace shows.
Troy Aikman is nan only different Hall of Fame backmost connected ESPN's roster, but he'll beryllium successful nan booth calling nan game.
One logistical hurdle remains. Warner presently serves arsenic nan lead expert for Westwood One's "Monday Night Football" power broadcasts, including nan Super Bowl.
Sources show OutKick ESPN could usage Warner connected nan pregame show because he's already connected tract each week for nan power broadcast. He would person to measurement distant from his Westwood One duties, however, to service arsenic ESPN's halftime analyst.
As WFAN big Craig Carton based on this week, Warner would almost surely take tv complete radio, if he's capable to get retired of his contract. Whether that's imaginable remains unclear.
Nov 10, 2022; Munich, Germany; Kurt Warner reacts during Seattle Seahawks believe astatine FC Bayern Munich astatine Sabener Strabe. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
Steve Smith Sr.
Steve Smith Sr. is different expert ESPN inherited from NFL Network.
Interestingly, Smith could besides presume immoderate of Clark's day-to-day responsibilities. Sources opportunity he impressed ESPN determination makers during appearances connected "First Take" astir nan NFL Draft. With nan web readying to amended abstracted nan impermanent lineups betwixt "First Take" and "Get Up" this season, Smith could gain a regular domiciled connected 1 aliases some shows.
That besides makes him a logical campaigner for "Monday Night Countdown."
NFL GameDay Kickoff expert Steve Smith Sr. earlier nan crippled astatine Bank of America Stadium connected Sept. 12, 2019 successful Charlotte, North Carolina. (Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports)
Dan Orlovsky
Dan Orlovsky is ESPN's champion regular NFL expert and would springiness nan sheet a erstwhile quarterback.
He's besides nan other of Ryan Clark successful 1 important respect. Few personalities astatine ESPN are little apt to drift distant from shot and into unrelated topics than Orlovsky is. Such decision-making is underrated.
Orlovsky has go 1 of nan network's much recognizable NFL voices done "NFL Live," "Get Up," "First Take," and "The Pat McAfee Show."
Scheduling whitethorn beryllium nan biggest obstacle. Last season, Orlovsky stayed successful New York connected Mondays for "Get Up" and "First Take" alternatively of walking pinch NFL Live to nan Monday Night Football site.
ESPN whitethorn determine he's much valuable anchoring its greeting lineup, particularly aft moving connected from Cam Newton. Orlovsky and his representatives could conscionable arsenic easy reason for a schedule that allows him to do both, by moving his greeting show responsibilities to later successful nan week.
USA TODAY WRITER SAYS CAITLIN CLARK PUTS BLACK AND QUEER WNBA PLAYERS 'IN DANGER' BY FLOPPING
Mina Kimes
To beryllium clear, we're not suggesting ESPN should take Mina Kimes arsenic its Super Bowl halftime analyst. We deliberation that would beryllium a mistake.
However, we'd beryllium amazed if her sanction isn't, astatine least, mentioned internally.
Because immoderate critics person predictably accused ESPN of racism for moving connected from Clark, it's imaginable executives consciousness unit to make a symbolic unit move. Kimes would almost surely beryllium portion of that discussion.
Choosing personification who ne'er played aliases coached successful nan NFL for ESPN's first Super Bowl halftime show, however, would erase overmuch of nan goodwill nan web has built pinch shot fans complete nan past fewer days.
Mina Kimes during nan Pro Bowl Skills Challenge astatine Nicholson Fieldhouse connected Jan. 30, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
Promote personification from 'Sunday NFL Countdown'
Another action is simply moving 1 of ESPN's Sunday pregame shows to Mondays, beryllium it Randy Moss, Alex Smith, Rex Ryan, and Tedy Bruschi.
Each would beryllium an upgrade complete Clark, and by a important margin. Moss is nan biggest prima from his playing career. Bruschi is nan strongest tv expert of nan four.
Final thought
There's different anticipation worthy considering.
Networks carrying nan Super Bowl often supplement their workplace sum pinch progressive players whose seasons person ended during nan postseason. Given really overmuch accent ESPN is placing connected its first Super Bowl, don't beryllium amazed if nan web adds a awesome existent aliases precocious retired subordinate alongside its existing crew, moreover if conscionable for nan 1 broadcast.
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Names for illustration Matthew Stafford, Jameis Winston, Kirk Cousins, aliases Joe Flacco travel to mind.
Or, possibly for a one-time appearance, ESPN could brace Jason Kelce pinch his brother, Travis Kelce, who is expected to discontinue astatine nan extremity of nan Chiefs' season.
Bobby Burack is simply a writer for OutKick.
