Pat McAfee adds new ESPN role on Monday nights

It’s now been more than a year since Pat McAfee stepped away from his WWE Raw commentary role — and it doesn’t look like he’ll be returning any time soon.

ESPN announced today that McAfee has expanded his duties with the network by joining Monday Night Countdown. Every week during the NFL season, McAfee will serve as a panelist for the Monday Night Football pre-game show. His daily ESPN show will also broadcast from the site of Monday Night Football each week. The season culminates in February 2027 with the Super Bowl airing on ABC and ESPN.

McAfee will also continue to serve as a host of ESPN’s College GameDay, making football season especially busy for him. He departed his Raw commentary position in June 2025, citing burnout as the reason. Though his schedule is packed, McAfee feels like the luckiest man on earth getting to be part of GameDay and Monday Night Countdown.

It was reported earlier this summer that McAfee and ESPN were in talks for a new deal that could potentially pay him $60-65 million per year.

Pat McAfee in WWE —

After stepping away from commentary, McAfee did return for what ended up being a heavily criticized role in the story for Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42. McAfee decided not to continue with the angle after WrestleMania due to the negative reaction his involvement received.

The last match McAfee had for WWE was a loss to Gunther at Backlash in May 2025.

Man.. I’m hoping that’s not a real photo of me BUT..

‘Tis an honor to be a part of MNF in any capacity. I hope I can be an asset as we start the journey to The Biggest Super Bowl of all time in LA on ESPN and ABC

College GameDay on Saturday.. Monday Night Countdown on Monday..… https://t.co/b1xlVF6XXH

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 19, 2026