ESPN is reportedly targeting Peyton Manning to replace Troy Aikman as the lead analyst on Monday Night Football beginning in 2027, according to a report from Broncos Wire.
The network has expressed interest in bringing the two-time Super Bowl champion into the broadcast booth once Aikman's current tenure concludes. Manning, who retired from the NFL in 2016, has previous broadcasting experience through his "ManningCast" alternative telecast with brother Eli Manning on ESPN2.
Jon Heath of Broncos Wire reported on November 4, 2026, that ESPN would like Manning to step into the role for the 2027 NFL season. Aikman has served as the primary color commentator on Monday Night Football since joining ESPN in 2022 after a long tenure with Fox Sports.
Manning's potential move would mark a significant shift in NFL broadcasting, pairing him with play-by-play announcer Joe Buck in what would be one of the league's most high-profile commentary teams.
