Rich Eisen confirmed he will no longer serve as a play-by-play commentator for NFL games following ESPN's acquisition of NFL Network. Eisen, who had been calling games for NFL Network since approximately 2018, most notably its international slate, told Sports Illustrated, "I believe I am done."
Sources indicate that the decision to remove Eisen from game broadcasts originated with ESPN. Dave Pasch is expected to succeed Eisen in calling NFL Network-exclusive games. Pasch is described as one of ESPN's top play-by-play announcers.
Critics had frequently pointed to Eisen's game-calling, citing a reliance on clichés, a tendency to talk over replays and natural game sounds, and a limited vocabulary. Common criticisms included his repeated use of phrases like "the shield" for midfield and his use of the passive voice.
Eisen himself attributed these challenges to his background as a studio host. "I enjoyed doing it a lot, man. I enjoyed doing it a lot. But it's so counter to what I normally do," Eisen stated. "Sitting in this chair on this set, three-hour radio TV simulcast game day morning on Sunday morning, if there's dead air, if there's blank space, if there's no talking, my first thought is to jump in and fill the void. It's the exact opposite when you're calling a game. Your job is to shut the f up after the big moment happens."
Despite no longer calling play-by-play, Eisen's relationship with ESPN remains strong. He previously signed a separate deal with the network to broadcast his daily radio show on ESPN Radio and Disney+ and has also hosted various editions of SportsCenter.
Eisen remains a recognizable figure in sports media. While often viewed as a talented studio anchor, he has also drawn criticism for what some perceive as a heavy reliance on 1990s nostalgia in his programming. His show has also featured guests from the political sphere, including Doug Emhoff and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.