Could ESPN be on the lookout for a new play-by-play announcer for Monday Night Football?
Troy Aikman has cast some doubt that he'll stick around as Joe Buck's booth mate past next February's Super Bowl after his contract expired, which would create a vacancy for one of the biggest commentating roles in the NFL.
Some possible friction between Aikman and Buck does make the former's departure all the more likely.
If Aikman really departs from Monday Night Football, who could replace him? Aikman leaving would be a seismic shift in the NFL broadcasting landscape, but ESPN does have a wide array of replacements to possibly consider.
Let's run through a few possible options that ESPN could consider if Aikman really does leave the network next year.
Greg Olsen
The Fox Sports broadcasting ace and former NFL tight end is a free agent after this season. He'd obviously be a huge get for ESPN to pair with Buck, but he may have his options if the CBS broadcasting gig opens up. What would Olsen prefer? His days at Fox Sports seem nigh with top jobs possibly on the horizon. We bet ESPN would want him.
Jason Kelce
If ESPN wants a bit more star power with a major broadcasting talent with some commentating experience, the network could turn in-house to Kelce. One of the NFL's biggest celebrities right now, Kelce could slide in next to Buck and give the broadcasting booth some smart analysis from an in-demand media talent with an audience.
Pat McAfee
McAfee is probably going to get stretched too thin by ESPN at some point; manning Aikman's spot next to Buck might be a job too many for ESPN's man of many hats. However, ESPN LOVES putting McAfee in as many intervals as possible, so you can't count out the network finding a role for him in the booth. We're skeptical it'd work, if only because McAfee's fastball is in a more free-flowing environment like College GameDay. We'll see.
Mike Tomlin
With Tomlin thriving at NBC Sports, would ESPN throw the kitchen sink at getting him over at Monday Night Football with Buck? Tomlin is still in the first year of his contract with NBC Sports, so we don't even know if this is possible or of Disney would be willing to pay whatever possible buyout would be necessary to get Tomlin. However, he's been so good as an analyst for NBC Sports that it's not impossible to think about ESPN going for it.
Sean McVay
Here's your wildcard. Would McVay jump at the opportunity to finally start his NFL broadcasting career with such a prestigious job as Monday Night Football next to a world-class talent like Buck? Amazon reportedly has interest in McVay to take over for Kirk Herbstreit on Thursday Night Football, but Monday Night Football with Buck is the bigger job and better opportunity. We do wonder if McVay couldn't turn this down if broadcasting is on his radar.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 5 possible Troy Aikman 'Monday Night Football' replacements (Sean McVay?!)