Now that Jon Gruden has been introduced as the new head coach of the Oakland Raiders, one of the most prestigious broadcasting jobs in sports will soon be up for grabs. We have heard countless names mentioned as possible replacements to become Sean McDonough’s partner on “Monday Night Football,” but Las Vegas seems to like one above all the rest.
Peyton Manning.
Manning, who retired from football two years ago, has yet to really sink his teeth into a new career. Because of his outgoing personality and television experience, there has long been talk that he would be a natural calling games. According to Bovada and some other gambling outlets, the two-time Super Bowl champion is the favorite to replace Gruden at ESPN.
Who will replace Jon Gruden on #MNF for Week 1 of the 2018 #NFL season?
Peyton Manning: +240
Louis Riddick: +400
Kurt Warner: +400Full list: https://t.co/Ah9uSioKrl pic.twitter.com/7G7LW3Elme
— Bovada Official (@BovadaLV) January 10, 2018
Other sportsbooks have taken a more rational approach, with names like Steve Young and Matt Hasselbeck — already employees of ESPN — considered the most likely candidates to join McDonough in 2018. Obviously, Manning would be the biggest splash for the network.
If Manning does decide to get into broadcasting, he can probably have any job he wants. There are few more appealing than becoming the “Monday Night Football” play-by-play man, but Peyton may not want to go the same route as Tony Romo. There have been rumblings that he wants to try his hand at working in an NFL front office, so perhaps he will go that route eventually.
