Todd McShay was a key figure on ESPN’s draft coverage for well over a decade. He initially served as a walk-on scout team quarterback for the Richmond Spiders before a back injury derailed his playing career. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree from the university’s Jepson School of Leadership Studies, he began working for “The War Room,” a publication started by former NFL scout Gary Horton.
“The War Room” was purchased by ESPN in 2006 and renamed “Scouts Inc.” This led to McShay joining The Worldwide Leader in Sports as a football analyst. By 2009, he had joined the main telecast of the network’s NFL Draft coverage alongside Mel Kiper Jr. Why is he no longer with the company?
Why Is Todd McShay No Longer With ESPN, and What Is He Doing Now?
McShay had been a mainstay at ESPN for well over a decade. However, in September 2021, he was announced that he was taking a break from the network to focus on his health and family.
“I am going to take some time away to focus on my health and my family. Thank you ESPN for being so supportive and for all the well wishes – I can’t wait to be back on the sidelines soon,” he stated.
His announcement came just three days after he worked as a sideline reporter for a college football game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Miami (FL) Hurricanes. Viewers took to social media to speculate about his health, claiming that he did not look well during one of his segments.
ESPN released a statement in support of McShay, posting: “Todd has ESPN’s full support as he steps away at this time to focus on his health and his family.”
McShay made his return to the network nearly two months later. While he remained in his role for nearly two years, he was unfortunately among those laid off by ESPN in June 2023, ending a nearly two-decade run with the company.
After leaving ESPN, McShay continued to produce NFL Draft content and he’s still one of the most widely respected voices in the industry. He joined The Ringer and Spotify in the fall of 2024, with his own podcast, “The McShay Show,” that debuted last October. He also has his own newsletter, “The McShay Report,” where he writes articles and shares his mock drafts.
While his absence from ESPN’s NFL Draft coverage is noticeable, McShay is enjoying his post-ESPN path since he gets to do things his way. He has noted that his new role feels right and natural. Even though he’s no longer battling with Kiper on ESPN, he is still front-and-center as a leading voice in the NFL Draft space.
