There’s 1 NFL Hall of Fame QB who should replace Troy Aikman on MNF

The future of Troy Aikman on ESPN's Monday Night Football broadcast has become one of the biggest sports media stories of the NFL season. With Aikman's contract set to expire after Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027, speculation about his replacement is heating up. While several names have been mentioned, there is one candidate who makes more sense than anyone else: Peyton Manning.

Peyton Manning is the obvious choice to replace Troy Aikman

There has been plenty of discussion about who ESPN could bring in to replace Aikman if he leaves the network. Greg Olsen has emerged as a popular candidate, while Jason Kelce could also be an option given his existing role on the Monday Night Countdown panel.

Tony Romo is another name that could generate plenty of attention. The former Cowboys quarterback recently became available after parting ways with CBS. Replacing one Dallas quarterback with another would certainly be an interesting storyline, but Romo is not the answer.

Instead, ESPN should make a serious push to bring Manning into the traditional Monday Night Football booth.

The Hall of Fame quarterback already has an established relationship with ESPN through the ManningCast, which he hosts alongside his brother, Eli Manning. The alternate broadcast has become a familiar part of ESPN's Monday Night Football coverage, giving Peyton plenty of experience discussing NFL games in front of a national audience.

Manning also brings the credibility, personality, football knowledge, and name recognition that ESPN should want in its lead NFL broadcast booth. Pairing him with Joe Buck would give the network an opportunity to create another high-profile broadcasting partnership.

ESPN should make Peyton Manning its top priority

There is no shortage of potential candidates, but Manning should be at the top of ESPN's list.

Greg Olsen is a legitimate option, and his past experience as Fox's lead analyst (before Tom Brady) makes him an attractive candidate. However, Olsen doesn't bring the same combination of Hall of Fame playing experience, national recognition, and existing ESPN relationship as Manning.

The biggest obstacle could be convincing Manning to take on the traditional broadcast role. He has previously declined opportunities to join a regular NFL broadcast booth, and his current arrangement with ESPN allows him to work alongside Eli without the demands of traveling to every game. ESPN would have to make an offer compelling enough to change that.

Still, if Aikman is officially finished with Monday Night Football after the Super Bowl, there should be one name at the top of the replacement conversation.

Peyton Manning is the logical choice. ESPN should make him its priority, and there really isn't a close second.