Ryan Clark and Cam Newton were among the prominent analysts affected by the recent layoffs. Front Office Sports reports that former NFL Network analyst Steve Smith Sr. is expected to receive a recurring role across ESPN’s studio programming.
However, ESPN has not officially announced his position, and the report does not identify him as a direct replacement for Clark or Newton. Smith could appear on programs such as “Get Up,” “First Take,” and “NFL Live,” but the exact plan remains fluid.
ESPN cuts longtime anchors amid NFL merger
ESPN began a broad round of layoffs on July 20 and 21. The cuts affected on-air analysts, reporters, anchors, and production employees across ESPN and NFL Network. Executives tied most of the job losses to the recent NFL Network deal.
ESPN and the NFL closed their transaction on Jan. 31, 2026. ESPN acquired NFL Network and certain other media assets, including NFL Fantasy and linear distribution rights associated with NFL RedZone. The NFL received a 10% ownership stake in ESPN.
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in an internal memo that most of the affected positions were related to the integration of the acquired NFL assets, although the company also eliminated roles elsewhere. Pitaro added that some of the decisions were difficult to make.
Ryan Clark learns of his firing live on air
Ryan Clark joined ESPN as an analyst in February 2015. ESPN informed him of his dismissal during a commercial break while he was appearing on the July 20 edition of “NFL Live,” and he did not return for the final part of the program.
Clark later discussed the decision on “The Pivot,” which he co-hosts with Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder, arguing that ESPN had already decided to fire him and used the broader layoffs to conceal the individual decision.
ESPN has not publicly confirmed Clark’s interpretation or provided a detailed explanation for selecting him, and Clark had reportedly been set for a prominent role in ESPN’s Super Bowl coverage next year before the decision to let him go.
Cam Newton also let go in cuts
ESPN also let go of former NFL MVP Cam Newton. He joined First Take in October 2024 and signed a new multiyear ESPN agreement in August 2025 that expanded his role on the show.
Newton spent most of his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers. The New England Patriots were the only other NFL team he represented before returning to Carolina in 2021.
Other reported cuts included longtime MLB voice Karl Ravech, NFL insider Tom Pelissero, former linebacker and analyst Bart Scott, college football analyst Charles Davis, injury expert Stephania Bell, and longtime anchor David Lloyd.
Kyle Brandt adds new voice to lineup
Kyle Brandt has begun appearing on ESPN programming as the company integrates NFL Network talent. Sources expect him to make recurring appearances on several ESPN studio shows, including a possible weekly role on “Get Up“. Brandt never played professional football but built a strong media career.
Brandt also announced his departure from CBS’s “The NFL Today“. However, ESPN has not confirmed that he has joined the network as a new full-time employee or released a complete schedule for him. He said the show gave him room to try something original.
Brandt remains best known as an original co-host of NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football“. His ESPN appearances represent expanded use across the same corporate organization rather than a straightforward move from an unrelated network.
Fun fact: Brandt played football at Princeton before appearing on “Days of Our Lives” from 2003 to 2006.
Steve Smith is expected to receive a larger ESPN role
Sources told Front Office Sports that Steve Smith Sr. is expected to become a recurring contributor to ESPN studio programming. His possible appearances include “Get Up“, “First Take“, and “NFL Live“, but ESPN has not confirmed the arrangement.
Smith played 16 NFL seasons with the Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens. He earned 4 Associated Press All-Pro selections: 2 first-team and 2 second-team, and made 5 Pro Bowls. He also finished as a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Smith reached the final round of Pro Football Hall of Fame voting for the Class of 2025. However, he did not reach the final 15 candidates for the Class of 2026. Insiders say he could bring extra energy to debates on First Take.
Other NFL Network names join ESPN roster
ESPN has also featured NFL Network reporter Stacey Dales on programs such as “First Take.” Reports say she could appear regularly on “Get Up” and “First Take,” discussing both football and women’s basketball. Dales has worked as a host and reporter for NFL Network since 2009.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport signed a multiyear agreement to remain with ESPN and NFL Network, and Front Office Sports also reported that Mike Garafolo agreed to a new ESPN deal following the acquisition.
Both reporters built strong reputations for breaking football news. ESPN already employs Adam Schefter and recently extended his contract, though whether overlapping roles directly caused particular layoffs remains speculation unless ESPN confirms it.
Tom Pelissero was left out of the New Deals
ESPN included NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero in its recent layoffs. Pelissero had worked for NFL Network since 2017 and appeared on “The Insiders” alongside Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo, and Judy Battista. He had built a strong reputation for reporting breaking NFL news.
Reports said Pelissero had approximately 1 year remaining on his contract and would continue receiving compensation under that agreement. Neither ESPN nor Pelissero has publicly disclosed the complete financial or termination terms.
Rapoport and Garafolo received new arrangements while Pelissero did not. However, the claim that ESPN considered him unnecessary because of Schefter and Field Yates is an inference rather than a confirmed explanation. That overlap likely made his role less essential going forward.
What these changes mean for ESPN
ESPN is increasing the presence of former NFL Network personalities while restructuring its existing football coverage. Smith, Brandt, and Dales are expected to make recurring ESPN appearances, while Rapoport and Garafolo have secured new agreements.
The changes could bring different combinations of analysts and reporters to programs such as “NFL Live“, “Get Up“, and “First Take“. However, ESPN has not announced that Smith or Brandt will directly assume the former duties of Clark or Newton.
The broader layoffs demonstrate how ESPN is consolidating personnel after acquiring NFL Network, but claims about efficiency, future ratings, or the exact program lineup remain predictions. ESPN NFL coverage will look noticeably different this coming season.
Little-known fact: Ryan Clark lost his spleen and gallbladder after a 2007 game in Denver triggered a sickle cell trait crisis.
TL;DR
- ESPN laid off several on-air names, including Ryan Clark and Cam Newton.
- The cuts were tied primarily to ESPN’s acquisition of NFL Network.
- Ryan Clark says he was fired live on the air, not simply laid off.
- Steve Smith and Kyle Brandt are the leading replacements as they move into bigger roles.
- Insider Tom Pelissero did not land a new deal with ESPN.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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