ARIZONA CARDINALS

Monday Night Football not replacing Jason Witten, people not here for it

May 1, 2019, 8:16 AM

Former American football tight end Jason Witten attends Kentucky Derby 144 on May 5, 2018 in Louisv...

Former American football tight end Jason Witten attends Kentucky Derby 144 on May 5, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for Chruchill Downs)

(Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for Chruchill Downs)

Jason Witten’s one season off the job for the Dallas Cowboys went pretty poorly while working as color analyst for Monday Night Football. He flubbed names, got tongue-tied, made up sayings and broke an MVP Pro Bowl trophy on the way out.

It was so bad that he unretired to rejoin the Cowboys.

Monday Night Football had the opportunity to take a mulligan on the hiring with his return to the NFL, but on Wednesday ESPN announced it wouldn’t.

Instead, it’ll cut down its four-person announcing crew to three and move high-rise-cart-dwelling Booger McFarland into the main analyst role. Play-by-play man Joe Tessitore and sideline reporter Lisa Salters will return for their second year at their respective positions.

Considering ESPN has talented in-house replacement options like Louis Riddick, Ryan Clark and Dan Orlovsky, it’s a questionable move. Hiring away CBS and NFL Network up-and-comer Nate Burleson would likewise inject some youthful energy into the broadcast.

ESPN could have made a historic move by replacing Witten with Beth Mowins, the first woman to call MNF who has done a few games in the past.

What about former punter Pat McAfee, whose humor and large podcast following gained since his retirement would bring a Bill Walton-esque humor to the stagnating broadcast?

If the Worldwide Leader was willing to shell out, maybe put Peyton Manning in the booth. ESPN could have inquired about signing Tony Romo away from CBS after his successful debut calling games there.

Nope.

They … picked Booger. The announcement wasn’t taken well by NFL fans.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

2 days ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

2 days ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

3 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

3 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

3 days ago

Monday Night Football not replacing Jason Witten, people not here for it