ESPN confirms Ryan Clark replacement as Jason Kelce gets new colleague
ESPN confirms Ryan Clark replacement as Jason Kelce gets new colleague
Sahil KurupMon, August 3, 2026 at 9:01 PM UTC
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Ryan Clark and Jason Kelce worked together on the set of Monday Night Football -Credit:Getty
ESPN has officially filled the void left by Ryan Clark's departure from "Monday Night Countdown," announcing Monday that Jason McCourty will join the pregame show's desk alongside host Scott Van Pelt and analysts Jason Kelce and Marcus Spears this fall.
The move comes roughly a month after Clark was let go as part of a wave of layoffs tied to ESPN's integration of NFL Network following its acquisition of the league's broadcasting assets.
Clark's dismissal drew significant attention due to the circumstances surrounding it, with reporting indicating he was informed of his firing during a live broadcast of "NFL Live," a moment that prompted criticism of how ESPN handled the situation.
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McCourty, a 13-year NFL veteran who retired following the 2021 season, signed an exclusive deal with ESPN earlier this year that ended his broadcasting roles with CBS Sports and Westwood One's "Thursday Night Football" radio coverage.
He had previously split his media work between ESPN and those outlets since joining the network as a contributor in 2024, following an earlier stint co-hosting "Good Morning Football" on NFL Network beginning in 2022.
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He has remained a regular presence across ESPN programming, including "NFL Live," "SportsCenter" and "Get Up," roles he will continue alongside his new "Monday Night Countdown" duties.
Former NFL player Jason McCourty signed an exclusive deal with ESPN earlier this year -Credit:Getty Images
McCourty's addition also creates a notable sibling dynamic in national football broadcasting. His twin brother, Devin McCourty, has served as an analyst on NBC's "Football Night in America" since 2023, meaning football fans will now see a McCourty brother anchoring pregame coverage on both Sunday and Monday nights during the NFL season.
Drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft out of Rutgers, where he played alongside Devin, Jason McCourty spent eight seasons in Tennessee before finishing his career with stops at Cleveland, New England and Miami.
He won Super Bowl LIII with the Patriots in 2018, a title he shared with Devin, making them the first twins in NFL history to win a Super Bowl together.
Jason McCourty is a 13-year NFL veteran who retired following the 2021 season -Credit:Getty
Over 173 career games, McCourty recorded 744 tackles and 18 interceptions across a career that spanned both cornerback and, in his final season, free safety.
Since retiring, McCourty has built a prominent media career while also remaining active in philanthropic work, including co-founding the Tackle Sickle Cell campaign with his brother, which has raised more than $2.5 million to support families affected by the disease.
He currently serves as co-chair of the advisory board for the Pro Athlete Community, an organization focused on helping current and former players navigate career transitions.
"Monday Night Countdown" is set to return for the 2026 season on Sept. 14, when ESPN's coverage opens with a Broncos-Chiefs matchup, a game that will likely feature Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes back at full strength after opening training camp without restrictions following last season's ACL tear.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
