ESPN's preferred replacement for Troy Aikman is already connected to the network — but is an unlikely answer to their vacancy.
During a Q&A Tuesday, The Athletic's Andrew Marchand said he believes Peyton Manning is "ESPN's No. 1 choice" to team with NFL play-by-play voice Joe Buck when Aikman's contract is up after the Super Bowl in February.
However, the situation is complicated.
Peyton Manning arrives for the premiere of Hulu's "Chad Powers" at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. Getty Images
Manning has previously turned down offers to work in a broadcast booth. Still, it is likely ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro will reach out to Manning to gauge his interest on the idea, according to Marchand.
He and his Omaha production company are under a longterm contract with ESPN for his and brother Eli Manning's "Manning-Cast" that airs during most "Monday Night Football" broadcasts.
The sibling quarterback greats have an ideal situation with the Worldwide Leader, where they can work from home and cover games without the grueling travel schedule analysts endure.
The Mannings are scheduled to analyze 12 games this season, as well as Super Bowl 2027, The Athletic previously reported.
Joe Buck, left, and Troy Aikman look on before an NFC Wild Card playoff game between the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla., Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. Getty Images
Buck recently moved to Denver and lives five minutes from Peyton, according to The Athletic.
Greg Olsen, who is a color commentator in Fox's No. 2 booth, is considered the favorite for the job, per Marchand.
Aikman and Buck have been at odds in the booth after Buck signed a six-year contract extension with ESPN in September, worth more than $100 million, to continue "Monday Night Football."
Troy Aikman looks on from the sideline during warmups prior to an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Getty Images
During a Sept. 20 interview on the "Sports Media with Richard Deitsch" podcast , Aikman explained that he thought he would've had a new contract done — and he hadn't heard from ESPN at that point.
Aikman and Buck have been broadcast partners for 25 years between their time at Fox and ESPN.
Both Buck and Aikman — who called more than 300 games together for Fox — left the network for ESPN to step into the "Monday Night Football" booth in March 2022.
