One of football's greatest ever quarterbacks is the bookie's favourite to fill Jason Witten's recently departed commentary role on Monday Night Football.
But signs suggest former Colts and Broncos signal caller Peyton Manning isn't interested in the position with ESPN because his brother Eli remains in the league. ESPN already has a relationship with Manning after giving the quarterback a film session series - Detail - but it seems turning that into a full-time analyst role is unlikely right now.
Manning's wit and knowledge of the sport is viewed as the only voice likely to compete with the job Tony Romo is doing with CBS. ESPN has stated it would pay Manning more than $6.5 million per year - the figure Jon Gruden made with the broadcaster - if the quarterback came on board to boost ratings, according to the New York Post's Andrew Marchand.
If the broadcaster doesn't land the future Hall of Famer, they could go with any of the candidates they interviewed last year for the role -- including Kurt Warner, Jesse Palmer, Louis Riddick and Matt Hasselbeck. It is understood they will avoid any first-time analysts after experimenting with Witten.
But without Manning, expect the station to revert to a two-man booth fronted by current callers Joe Tessitore and Booger McFarland. It might try the three-man booth again when Romo's CBS contract expires next year.
COVER PHOTO: Denver Post
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