Who Are the ESPN NFL Halftime Commentators? Jason Kelce Becomes the Newest Member of Countdown Team

After a number of changes over the past few years, ESPN’s NFL Countdown Show has seen some new faces take center stage. Last year, some familiar faces were joined by a few new ones as well.

Breaking Down the ESPN NFL Halftime and Countdown Commentators

Scott Van Pelt, better known as SVP, is the host of the ESPN halftime show. He’s joined by Ryan Clark, Marcus Spears, Adam Schefter, and Jason Kelce.

Scott Van Pelt

Van Pelt has been an anchor for ESPN on various programs, most notably, SportsCenter. Van Pelt is a renowned golf analyst and is considered by many to be one of the top golf correspondents in the world.

Van Pelt continues his rise to stardom as a personality on ESPN radio. He had several radio programs, including “Tirico and Van Pelt,” “The Scott Van Pelt Show,” and “SVP & Russillo.”

Van Pelt has been the anchor for the midnight edition of SportsCenter since 2015.

Ryan Clark

Ryan had a 13-year NFL career at safety, is a Pro-Bowler, and a Super Bowl champ. He famously recorded five tackles in the Pittsburgh Steelers 2009 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Since his retirement in 2015, he has been a broadcaster for ESPN, and he also hosts The Pivot Podcast with Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder.

Marcus Spears

Spears is no stranger to ESPN viewers as he is a regular with Stephen A. Smith on “First Take.” After an All-American and National Championship career at LSU and nearly a decade in the NFL, Spears transitioned into television. His career quickly grew and he became an integral part of the NFL Live’s full revamp in August 2020.

Spears brings NFL playing experience and a passion for the game to the Monday Night Football team. Drafted in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, Spears played defensive end for nine NFL seasons, retiring in 2014.

Adam Schefter

Another mainstay of ESPN’s halftime show is NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Schefter regularly appears during the break to provide news and rumors from around the league. Schefter officially joined ESPN as an analyst in 2009.

Jason Kelce

Eagles legend Jason Kelce made his broadcasting debut on NFL Countdown last year. After his retirement, Kelce did not stay off the market for very long, announcing his intention to join ESPN as a broadcaster.

“Turns out, it was a short retirement! I’m excited to join ESPN, and particularly the Monday Night Countdown team. ESPN was a consistent presence in our household growing up and the network helped shape who I am and my love of all sports. To now appear on that same screen is a full circle moment. And, I mean it’s freaking Monday Night Football! and I’m ready for some football,” Kelce said in a statement via ESPN.

“Jason is a highly respected, Super Bowl Champion with a strong connection to fans,” said Burke Magnus, ESPN President of Content. “Walking off the field and immediately to ESPN, viewers will benefit from his perspective which has been shaped through his years as an established locker room leader and a future Hall of Fame center. Jason’s addition to Monday Night Countdown will greatly strengthen our NFL coverage.”

ESPN NFL Halftime Commentators Include the Manningcast

This year, ESPN’s alternative Monday Night Football broadcast, the Manningcast, is set to return. The Manningcast is broadcasted on ESPN2 and features Eli and Peyton Manning doing everything from color commentary to analysis throughout the game. The brothers also speak to several guests during each contest.

With 12 episodes slated to air throughout the year, fans will once again get to watch Peyton and Eli deliver their signature analysis and in-depth game breakdowns, often joined by a special guest, during select Monday Night Football broadcasts.

Fortunately, the wait for the season’s first ManningCast won’t be long. The Manning brothers are set to kick things off on September 8, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET, when the Minnesota Vikings square off against the Chicago Bears.

With ties to one of the competing teams, Peyton and Eli will welcome legendary wide receiver and former Minnesota Vikings first-round pick Randy Moss for his second appearance on the show. Moss’s first ManningCast cameo came during a matchup between the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 5, 2022.

Joining Moss on the broadcast will be Philadelphia Eagles superstar Saquon Barkley, who will make his ManningCast debut. He’ll share the screen with legendary actor and comedian Bill Murray, adding even more star power to the already stacked lineup.