Who Will FOX Replace Troy Aikman With?

For the first time since the turn of the millennium, Troy Aikman won’t be a color commentator for Fox Sports. He just signed a 5-yr/$90 million contract with ESPN to join the ‘Monday Night Football’ crew. 

Aikman’s departure leaves a spot open next to Joe Buck in the Fox broadcasting booth. The search has begun to find Aikman’s replacement, so let’s set the odds on who will be next in line. 

Who Will Replace Troy Aikman at Fox?

• Greg Olsen: +150
• Sean Payton: +250
• Drew Brees: +750

Greg Olsen (+150)

Olsen has been working at Fox for several years now and has a very good presence in the booth. He could step in seamlessly and bring some new energy into a booth that’s been locked down for two decades. Olsen is still close enough to the game to where his name holds some weight to the younger generation and with current players. It makes sense on every front. Fox wouldn’t even have to go deep into their pockets to promote him.

Sean Payton (+250)

Payton just retired and this would be the perfect way for him to stay connected to the game. He could have a Tony Romo effect on the booth and predict plays, especially being one year removed. The one concern I would have is the fact that the color commentator seat has been for players and not coaches as of late. If Payton’s name can break through, then he would be a great candidate. 

Drew Brees (+750)

Brees just got to NBC last season and has already made an impression there. He has a good thing going being a studio man. He was in the booth with Mike Tirico during the Raiders-Bengals game and there was a lot left to be desired from him. In the announcing game, Brees isn’t the No. 1 pick you’d mortgage the future for. He’s a solid player who can get the job done, but mainly one you can get in the second round.