It’s no secret ESPN has had its eye on Peyton Manning since he retired from the NFL following the 2015 season. The Hall-of-Fame quarterback has been ESPN’s white whale, unable to lure him into their Monday Night Football booth for three straight offseasons.
But according to a story by Kalyn Kahler of Bleacher Report, the most recent attempts by ESPN and CBS to hire Manning was the closest he’s been to becoming a broadcaster. In the end, the networks offered Manning just 10 days to make his decision, which wasn’t enough time.
“If he had another month to think about it, he very well might have done it,” a source told Bleacher Report. “Many people in his family said, ‘You know what, you should do this.’ … That’s hard to do because you’re not saying, ‘I’m going to try it this year.’ You’re basically saying, ‘This is what I am going to do for the next decade.'”
ESPN may have asked Manning to mull their offer and respond in 10 days, but really, he’s had years to decide if he wants to pursue a career in broadcasting. Six weeks after he declined their offer, ESPN is still searching for a succession plan in case they decide to move on from their incumbent duo of Joe Tessitore and Booger McFarland. Are we to believe if Manning called The Worldwide Leader tomorrow to say he wants to join their Monday Night Football booth they’d say too late?
It’s possible ESPN has since reallocated their resources, especially because of the current global pandemic, so whatever financial terms were previously discussed might no longer be available. But even with the 10-day window long gone, if Manning is interested in joining ESPN’s Monday Night Football booth, they’ll accept his call.
Brandon Contes is a former reporter for BSM, now working for Awful Announcing. You can find him on Twitter @BrandonContes or reach him by email at Brandon.Contes@gmail.com.
