ESPN plans to replace Chris Fowler in its NFL play-by-play rotation with Dave Pasch and Bob Wichusen, according to reporting from Andrew Marchand of The Athletic. The shift addresses scheduling conflicts between Fowler’s college football duties and ESPN’s international NFL game schedule, with Pasch and Wichusen expected to split the remaining broadcast assignments.
Why is ESPN changing its NFL broadcast lineup?
The restructuring of ESPN’s “B” team—the crew assigned to games not handled by Joe Buck and Troy Aikman—stems from a direct conflict in the 2026 broadcast calendar. In 2026, ESPN will oversee eight non-Monday night games. Five of these matchups are scheduled as international games during the college football season.
Because Fowler maintains significant play-by-play responsibilities for college football on Saturdays, he cannot cover the international NFL games. Marchand reports that ESPN is “zeroing in” on Pasch and Wichusen to fill this gap. This change ensures that the network maintains consistent coverage across both the NFL and college football schedules without personnel overlaps.
Seven of ESPN’s eight non-Monday night NFL games in 2026 are slated to be televised via the NFL Network.
Who will replace Chris Fowler in the booth?
Dave Pasch and Bob Wichusen are the primary candidates to take over the play-by-play duties. Both men are veteran broadcasters who currently call college football games for ESPN. They will split the excess games that Fowler can no longer attend due to his Saturday commitments.
The two announcers bring extensive radio experience to the television booth. Pasch currently handles play-by-play for Arizona Cardinals radio broadcasts. Wichusen serves as the play-by-play announcer for the New York Jets on the radio. This transition moves established radio voices into a more prominent role within ESPN’s NFL television rotation.
How will the ESPN analyst roles change?
ESPN is also looking to refresh its color commentary. While Louis Riddick and Dan Orlovsky have previously occupied the booth for games not assigned to Aikman, the network is considering new talent. According to Marchand, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce remains under consideration for a game analyst role.
Other names currently being discussed for analyst positions include Kurt Warner and Louis Riddick. This potential rotation suggests ESPN is looking to balance veteran expertise with high-profile personalities to maintain viewership for its secondary NFL windows.
Current vs. Proposed ESPN NFL Crew
| Role | Current/Previous | Proposed/Under Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Play-by-Play | Chris Fowler | Dave Pasch & Bob Wichusen |
| Game Analyst | Dan Orlovsky, Louis Riddick | Jason Kelce, Kurt Warner |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t Chris Fowler call the international NFL games?
Fowler’s college football duties on Saturdays conflict with the timing of ESPN’s international NFL games.
Who is replacing Chris Fowler?
Dave Pasch and Bob Wichusen are expected to split the play-by-play role.
Is Jason Kelce joining ESPN?
He is currently under consideration to serve as a game analyst, according to The Athletic.
What do you think of ESPN’s potential new broadcast lineup? Do Pasch and Wichusen belong in the NFL booth? Leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts.
