ESPN Set to Transition to New Play-by-Play Team for NFL Coverage

ESPN is poised to make significant adjustments to its NFL "B" team, as reported by Andrew Marchand of The Athletic. The network is focusing on appointing Dave Pasch and Bob Wichusen to take over the play-by-play responsibilities previously held by Chris Fowler for games that do not feature Joe Buck.

Pasch and Wichusen are expected to share the additional broadcasts. Jason Kelce is being considered for the analyst position for some of these games, while Kurt Warner and Louis Riddick are also in the running for other assignments. Starting in 2026, ESPN will have eight non-Monday night games, with most of them being aired on the NFL Network. Five of these games will occur internationally during the college football season, creating a scheduling conflict with Fowler’s Saturday commitments.

Previously, Fowler teamed up with Riddick and Dan Orlovsky for the ESPN broadcasts not assigned to Buck and Troy Aikman. Currently, both Pasch and Wichusen provide commentary for college football on ESPN, with Pasch also serving as the radio voice for the Arizona Cardinals and Wichusen doing the same for the New York Jets.