Could Al Michaels return to ‘Monday Night Football’?

Beginning in 1986, Al Michaels spent 20 seasons serving as the lead play-by-play announcer for ABC’s “Monday Night Football.” In 2006, Michaels moved from ABC to NBC, while Monday Night Football moved from ABC to ESPN.

Currently, Michaels works “Sunday Night Football” for NBC but that will change next season. The network plans to replace Michaels with Mike Tirico as the full-time SNF play-by-play announcer. Michaels is expected to take over on Amazon’s “Thursday Night Football” broadcast.

But there is an off-chance scenario in which Michaels moves on from NBC and their Amazon deal.

Andrew Marchand of the New York Post notes that Michaels’ current contract expires following Super Bowl LVI in February. What are his plans after that? They’re uncertain, and could include a shift to ESPN and a return to Monday Night Football.

Marchand says Michaels has no plans to retire. Marchand also says “the only other possibility that could emerge is if ESPN’s ‘Monday Night Football’ were to change its main booth again.”

In other words, Marchand suggests that Michaels might be interested in returning to MNF if ESPN is interested.

As things sit, Steve Levy, Brian Griese and Louis Riddick handle the call on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. The Manning brothers, Peyton and Eli, also host the alternate viewing “ManningCast” on select Monday nights.

In order for Michaels to sneak back in, ESPN would have to scrap their announce team yet again. And while it’s not outside the realm of possibility, it remains unlikely.

It would be nostalgic for many to have Michaels return to Monday Night Football, but an overwhelming number of pieces would have to fall into place for that to occur.

Image: Aug 26, 2018; Arlington, TX, USA; Network television commentator Al Michaels before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports.