Likely new favorite emerges to replace Shannon Sharpe on 'Undisputed' after ESPN firings

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The ESPN layoff carnage may lead to the eventual replacement for Shannon Sharpe on the FS1 show Undisputed.

Reports suggest that former NFL star receiver Keyshawn Johnson, who was one of 20 people laid off by ESPN, could take over Sharpe’s spot opposite Skip Bayless.

And in another bizarre twist, the ESPN layoffs might’ve cleared the way for Shannon Sharpe to join the network, possibly replacing Steve Young on Monday Night Countdown. Like Johnson, Young got the ax from ESPN as well. Front Office Sports says it would make sense that Sharpe become part of ESPN because he also could be part of the rotation opposite Stephen A. Smith on First Take.

Now, back to Johnson, the former first pick of the NFL Draft. The 50-year-old started doing work for ESPN in 2007 right before he announced his official retirement from the NFL. This year, Johnson was a co-host for ESPN Morning radio and he was part of their NFL coverage.

Keyshawn Johnson could be Shannon Sharpe’s replacement on Undisputed. Johnson, seen here in 2022 with Dick Vitale, got the ax from ESPN Friday after the all-sports network laid off 20 on-air employees in a cost-cutting move. (THOMAS BENDER/HERALD-TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Johnson already lives in Los Angeles, where FS1 films Undisputed, so geography could help dictate Shannon Sharpe’s replacement. That’s one of the reasons why Andrew Marchand, who covers sports media for the New York Post, thinks Johnson will take over Sharpe’s spot.

But Johnson also can afford to take his time in deciding where he wants to go next. He signed a five-year, $18 million contract with ESPN a year ago. And although he was laid off, the network needs to pay him the rest of his contract. ESPN wanted the salaries of all 20 people who got the boot off the accounting books in time for 2024.

Back in May, Shannon Sharpe announced he was leaving Undisputed. Sides settled his contract by the end of May and he did his last show in June. He and Bayless had butted heads for awhile. And it reached a head in early January over Bayless’ tweet about Damar Hamlin.

Front Office Sports said that three FS1 personalities could take over Shannon Sharpe’s role. One early favorite was LeSean McCoy. Others believed to be under consideration include Emmanuel Acho and Joy Taylor.

There will be other big names from ESPN looking for employment. Some of the laid-off personalities included Suzy Kolber, Jeff Van Gundy, Todd McShay, David Pollack and Max Kellerman.