Peyton Manning has opted to pass on both FOX and ESPN as a lead analyst.
Among the enticing options, Manning was offered by FOX the opportunity to serve as the lead analyst on their Thursday Night Football coverage.
Here are more details courtesy of Pro Football Talk
Peyton Manning has decided the broadcast booth isn’t for him. At least not for now.
The former quarterback has turned down FOX’s pursuit of him as the lead game analyst for its Thursday night package, Andrew Marchand of the New York Post reports. Manning previously said no to ESPN, which wanted him for Monday Night Football.
Tony Romo’s success on CBS led to renewed pursuit of Manning.
Instead, FOX will have to turn to Plan B. Kurt Warner is expected to be among those considered for the job, according to Marchand. Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, retired quarterback Carson Palmer and retired offensive linemen Joe Thomas auditioned with the network.
ESPN is considering Olsen, Warner, Matt Hasselbeck, Louis Riddick and Randy Moss, among others, for the Monday Night Football job, via Marchand.
Both networks are clearly looking for the next Tony Romo. Manning isn’t too far removed from the game and is known primarily for his ability to read plays on the fly. Expect Manning to be pursued in the years to come as a high profile color analyst.