ESPN, Jeff Saturday have mutual interest in returning to network

Before he was the Indianapolis Colts’ interim head coach, Jeff Saturday was a staple on ESPN’s Get Up as an analyst. With the NFL season right around the corner, there appears to be mutual interest in a reunion, according to the New York Post’s Andrew Marchand.

However, it’s still “up in the air” if it’ll happen.

Saturday’s “pancakes” segment was a staple on Tuesday mornings during the season as he broke down the best blocks made by offensive linemen each week. He left the role to take over as the Colts’ interim head coach after the firing of Frank Reich and had a 1-7 record in the role.

One of the qualms about Saturday’s return to ESPN comes from the budget. The network just went through a massive round of layoffs and some NFL talent, such as Steve Young and Matt Hasselbeck, were caught in the crosshairs. That’s why there could be some hesitance regarding Saturday’s decision.

Saturday played center for the Colts from 1999-2011 and wrapped up his career with the Green Bay Packers in 2012. He won a Super Bowl with Indianapolis as part of a career that included six Pro Bowls and got him in the Colts’ Ring of Honor.

He initially joined ESPN as an analyst in 2013 before heading to the sidelines in 2022.

Last month, ESPN let go about 20 on-air personalities as part of a massive round of layoffs by Disney. Some of the biggest names were Monday Night Countdown host Suzy Kolber and talk show host Max Kellerman. With the season quickly approaching, it’s still unclear who’ll replace Kolber on Monday Night Countdown, but a report from The Athletic’s Richard Deitsch said Scott Van Pelt would take the role.

However, during an interview on The Dan Patrick Show, Van Pelt said he hasn’t been given the position.

“It was reported that I was the guy. And other than me not having been offered the job or accepting a job I haven’t been offered, it was spot on,” Van Pelt said. “God, that was weird. I mean, you read things and you’re like, ‘Whoa, whoa.’

“People were congratulating me! You hear an athlete or somebody in sports say, ‘Well, that’s just not true.’ And you kind of always think, ‘Sure it is.’ Well, this was a situation where something was reported about me, which was not accurate. Now, I don’t want to be coy and act like it couldn’t happen.”