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NFL owners are shaping the league’s future at an annual meeting in Palm Beach, Fla. But over the coming months, the league’s TV partners will decide the fate of their TV and streaming coverage. As first reported by Front Office Sports, ESPN’s hiring of Peter Schrager away from NFL Network takes an important piece off the chessboard. But some free agents could still be available, ranging from Dan Orlovsky of ESPN to Scott Hanson of NFLN and Charissa Thompson and Erin Andrews of Fox Sports. The 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers remains a wild card if he doesn’t return to the field.
Here are seven burning questions as we speed toward the NFL Draft, training camps, and the kickoff of the 2025 season.
Who replaces Peter Schrager on Good Morning Football?
NFL Network has big shoes to fill with Schrager, who was very plugged in on topics like the NFL Draft. It remains to be seen whether they would replace him with another journalist, or whether they plug in a former player in the spot. Orlovsky praised the Schrager hire on X/Twitter on Tuesday, writing: “ESPN got better with this addition. Peter is great in all facets.” One source speculated the Los Angeles–based show would like to fill his spot with another NFL insider. Ex-NFLN talent Shaun O’Hara could also get some reps.
Will anyone replace J.J. Watt on The NFL Today?
The answer we’re getting from sources is no—for the moment. CBS wants to give more airtime to the talented Nate Burleson, and it’s high on Matt Ryan’s prospects after his rookie season on the show. But another source doesn’t like the idea of a four-person studio team for the iconic studio show. CBS may play it cool until a current star like Travis Kelce of the Chiefs or Cam Jordan of the Saints retires.
Will ESPN keep the NFL Draft?
ESPN has done a superlative job televising the draft for 45 years, turning it into the NFL’s marquee offseason event and a rite of spring, along with The Masters Tournament and the Kentucky Derby. The smart money is that ESPN keeps a nice slice of draft coverage. But the NFL will likely add a giant streamer to the mix, such as Google/YouTube. As first reported by FOS, Netflix was invited to bid but passed. But Netflix is reserving the right to jump back into the bidding for rights to the draft starting in 2026. “New entrants to the TV world have recognized what those of us who have been in the business have known for a long time,” says ex-Fox executive Bob Thompson. “High-level sports rights will bring viewers to your platform. It’s been this way since the invention of radio—and nothing is changing.”
Will Fox replace the retired Jimmy Johnson on Fox NFL Sunday?
It’s standard for the top NFL pregame shows to boast a former coach on the studio desk, preferably a Super Bowl winner like Johnson at Fox and Bill Cowher at CBS. But the 81-year-old former Cowboys coach has been a part-timer for a couple of seasons now. Rob Gronkowski has been doing more on the league’s most-watched pregame show. The 35-year-old Gronk delivers a more youthful, irreverent vibe alongside TV monuments like the 76-year-old Terry Bradshaw and 65-year-old Howie Long. Fox loves stars. They could also be in the Kelce sweepstakes if the tight end retires.
What’s next for the cast of Fox NFL Kickoff?
The network’s other pregame show could potentially lose half its cast. Schrager is on the move to ESPN, Michael Vick is taking over as head coach of Norfolk State University, and Thompson is a free agent. That leaves Charles Woodson and Julian Edelman from last season’s cast. Thompson said on her podcast that she wants to re-up with the network. “Fox is family to me,” she said. Andrews is also a free agent. She’s served as the lead sideline reporter for Fox’s No. 1 game team since leaving ESPN in 2012. Fox remains the best in the business at auditioning players and developing their talent; think Greg Olsen and Michael Strahan.
Will Dan Orlovsky leave ESPN?
ESPN wants to re-up the hard-working Orlovsky, whose current deal expires this summer. But Orlovsky has “options,” say sources. He’d fit in nicely with Fox NFL Kickoff—if not a younger version of Fox NFL Sunday. Adam Schefter told Pat McAfee that the 41-year-old ex-quarterback has aspirations of becoming a head coach. Still, our sources think Orlovsky’s best move career-wise would be to stay at ESPN.
Could Scott Hanson end his 16-year run as host of NFL RedZone?
Many viewers of NFL RedZone can’t picture the show without the popular Hanson as host. But Hanson’s deal expired after last season. And NFL Media is in cost-cutting mode as it slims down for a possible sale or merger with ESPN. It didn’t escape people’s attention when ESPN’s Tony Reali raised his hand for the RedZone host job with his own Around the Horn ending May 23.
