Report: Chase Daniel set to join ESPN as college football game analyst

Chase Daniel, a longtime backup quarterback in the NFL after starring at Missouri, is set to join ESPN as a college football color commentator and NFL studio analyst, Front Office Sports’ Ryan Glasspiegel reported. He will join Clay Matvick in the broadcast booth for Week 1.

Daniel most recently worked at FS1 as part of The Facility show, which was canceled as the network overhauled its morning lineup earlier this summer. He also hosts the Scoop City podcast for The Athletic alongside Dianna Russini and James Palmer.

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Daniel’s first game with ESPN will be Aug. 30 for Pitt vs. Duquesne, FOS reported. It will mark his first game broadcasting opportunity after previously working as a studio analyst for NFL Network following his retirement. FOS reported ESPN sees plenty of potential in Daniel.

Daniel starred at Mizzou from 2005-08, winning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2007. He threw for 4,306 yards and 33 touchdowns as a junior to finish fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting. He then set new career-highs in 2008 with a 72.9% completion percentage, 4,335 yards and 39 touchdowns.

More on Chase Daniel’s NFL career

After going undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft, Daniel embarked on a long NFL career largely in a backup role. He started out on Washington’s practice squad in 2009 before suiting up for six teams, starting with the New Orleans Saints from 2009-12. Daniel then headed to the Kansas City Chiefs from 2013-15 and the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016 before returning to New Orleans in 2017.

From 2018-19, Daniel played for the Chicago Bears before staying in the division with the Detroit Lions in 2020. After two years with the Los Angeles Chargers from 2021-22, Daniel announced his retirement in September 2023 and began his media career.

All told, over his 13-year career, Daniel appeared in 74 games and made five starts. However, he was also one of the highest-earning backup quarterbacks in history as he worked closely with players such as Alex Smith, Carson Wentz, Mitch Trubisky, Matthew Stafford and Justin Herbert.

Chase Daniel’s college football broadcast debut will come as part of a jam-packed Week 1 slate as Pitt and Duquesne help get the full day of action started. Kickoff is set for Aug. 30 at Noon ET on ACC Network.