ESPN makes right decision by removing Rich Eisen from play-by-play amid NFL Network acquisition

Rich Eisen confirmed he will no longer call NFL games as a play-by-play commentator following ESPN’s acquisition of NFL Network.

“I believe I am done,” Eisen told Sports Illustrated when asked if he would continue calling games this upcoming season.

Eisen had called games for NFL Network since around 2018, including most of the network’s international slate. Kurt Warner often served as the color analyst alongside him.

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Sources tell OutKick it was ESPN’s decision to remove Eisen from game broadcasts. Dave Pasch is expected to replace him on NFL Network-exclusive games.

Pasch, who is leaving his role with the Arizona Cardinals, will be a significant upgrade. He is one of ESPN’s best play-by-play voices.

Eisen never reached that level.

His game-calling drew consistent criticism from fans and media observers. He relied too heavily on clichés and talked over replays and the natural sounds of the game. He too often defaulted to the same phrases. Critics frequently pointed to his limited vocabulary, such as repeatedly referring to midfield as “the shield,” and his tendency to call games in the passive voice.

During the interview, Eisen attributed those struggles to instincts he developed as a studio host.

“I enjoyed doing it a lot, man. I enjoyed doing it a lot. But it’s so counter to what I normally do,” Eisen told SI. “Sitting in this chair on this set, three-hour radio TV simulcast game day morning on Sunday morning, if there’s dead air, if there’s blank space, if there’s no talking, my first thought is to jump in and fill the void. It’s the exact opposite when you’re calling a game. Your job is to shut the f up after the big moment happens.”

Fair.

Not everyone can excel as both a studio host and a play-by-play announcer. NBC’s Mike Tirico is one of the few exceptions.

Still, Eisen’s standing at ESPN is hardly in jeopardy. Even before the acquisition of NFL Network, he signed a separate deal with ESPN to carry his daily radio show on ESPN Radio and Disney+. He has also hosted several special editions of SportsCenter.

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Around the industry, Eisen is a polarizing figure.

Most people view him as a talented studio anchor and a recognizable face for casual sports fans. However, he also draws criticism for his fixation on his own nostalgia from the 1990s. It’s difficult to watch one of his shows without hearing him reference himself from 20 or 25 years ago.

He’s also more political than ESPN appears to want to be at this stage. Some of the guests on his radio show have included Doug Emhoff, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Tim Walz and CNN host Jake Tapper.

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At least he’s still capable of talking sports without belittling “white dudes” or defending hard fouls on Caitlin Clark.

Eisen still has value — just not as a play-by-play commentator. ESPN recognized that before its first season operating NFL Network.