Will Chad Johnson become Shannon Sharpe's successor at ESPN after the Super Bowl winner's shocking exit?
Shannon Sharpe has been in the news, not for some good reasons. In a dramatic shake-up at ESPN, Sharpe's departure from First Take has opened the door for a fresh face to potentially step in and Chad Johnson is making it clear he wants the job.
Just hours before news broke of Sharpe's exit, Johnson appeared on the show, charming the audience and teasing what looked like a candid audition for the now-vacant role.
Chad Johnson eyes Shannon Sharpe's ESPN seat following First Take departure
Shannon Sharpe's sudden departure comes in the wake of a legal battle that had kept him off the air since April. Though a settlement was reached in the $50 million lawsuit filed against him for alleged sexual misconduct, ESPN ultimately opted to sever ties with the former NFL star.
According to The Athletic's Andrew Marchand, Sharpe requested that the announcement be delayed to avoid overshadowing his brother's Hall of Fame induction—an appeal that was reportedly denied.
'Obviously, I'm sure everybody's heard the news by now that I will not be returning to ESPN,' Sharpe said later that night on Nightcap. He added, 'I said, 'This coming out will overshadow everything [my brother's] worked his entire life for.'
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And unfortunately, it didn't happen that way.'
While ESPN has not officially linked Sharpe's exit to the lawsuit, the timing speaks volumes. His tenure, which began in August 2023 after leaving Undisputed, ended just shy of the two-year mark.
Here comes Chad Johnson. The former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver, who co-hosts the Nightcap podcast with Sharpe, wasted no time making his pitch. During his recent appearance on First Take, Johnson playfully declared, 'I can get used to this for the next six months… I'm gonna start September 5th, if I'm not mistaken.
Because Thursday Night Football, first week, so, I should be here Friday.'
Host Molly Qerim's laughter and Stephen A. Smith's remote presence only fueled Johnson's confidence. 'The fact that you came off vacation for me, that lets me know you're trying to get things started a little early,' Johnson told Smith. 'Trying to preheat the oven, I like that. It's gonna be a great season.'
Johnson's charisma and rapport with the First Take team didn't go unnoticed.
Though there's no formal announcement yet, his timing—paired with ESPN's urgent need for a dynamic replacement—makes his candidacy one to watch.
As ESPN turns the page from a turbulent chapter, Chad Johnson is positioning himself not just as a fill-in, but as a full-time spark ready to light up the studio this NFL season.
What is Shannon Sharpe's comment on his ESPN exit?
Shannon Sharpe has finally broken his silence following the announcement of his departure from ESPN.
The NFL Hall of Famer expressed that his only regret was how the announcement may have taken attention away from Sterling Sharpe's moment of glory. 'The only thing I asked was, guys, could we wait until Monday? My brother's going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame,' Sharpe shared. He added that he feared the headlines would 'overshadow everything that he's worked his entire life for.
'
Sharpe revealed he had apologized to Sterling personally, only to be met with brotherly grace: 'Bro, stop apologizing...
I love you.'
Despite his exit, Sharpe was full of appreciation for ESPN, saying the network gave him a broader platform to be himself. 'I was able to bring that to ESPN. So I'm very, very grateful for that,' he noted, adding, 'They did what they felt they needed to do. And I'm at peace with that.'
FAQs
1: Why did Shannon Sharpe leave ESPN's First Take?
Shannon Sharpe parted ways with ESPN following a lawsuit settlement involving allegations of sexual assault. Although he previously planned to return for the NFL preseason, ESPN ultimately decided to end the partnership.
2: Was Shannon Sharpe fired from ESPN because of the lawsuit?
ESPN has not officially stated that the lawsuit caused Sharpe's exit. However, the decision came shortly after he settled a $50 million sexual assault lawsuit, suggesting a possible connection.
3: When was Shannon Sharpe last seen on First Take?
Sharpe last appeared on First Take in late April 2025, before stepping away from the show amid the legal proceedings.
Also Read:
Shannon Sharpe's net worth in 2025: How much he earned as ESPN has now officially parted ways with former NFL star
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