ESPN is going to have a much different look this NFL season with its on-air talent, and the ongoing overhaul apparently includes Tom Jackson.
Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News reports that Jackson is not expected to return to “Sunday NFL Countdown” this upcoming season. Jackson, a former NFL linebacker who spent his entire career with the Denver Broncos, had appeared on the show alongside Chris Berman since 1987.
While Raissman’s source said Jackson is still “weighing his options” and could decide to return to ESPN, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk is reporting that Jackson has already made up his mind and will not be back.
Rumors swirled earlier this offseason that Trent Dilfer would also be leaving ESPN, but Dilfer later revealed that he will remain with the network in an expanded role. Florio says ESPN’s decision to bring Dilfer back and stop playing hardball with his contract was directly tied to Jackson’s decision to move on.
Jackson has worked alongside Berman for nearly 30 years, so it’s somewhat surprising that he is leaving now amid reports that the 2016 season will be Berman’s last hosting “Sunday NFL Countdown.” There is speculation that Berman will remain with ESPN in a different role, though it does not seem like the same is true for Jackson.
ESPN has been dealing with some serious budget cuts, which likely has something to do with big names like Mike Tirico and Skip Bayless leaving the network. NFL analysts Cris Carter and Randy Moss are also out.
