Report: FOX in negotiations with former Super Bowl-winning coach

Sean Payton’s future is becoming clearer. He might be trading in his visor for a suit.

The former New Orleans Saints coach is in negotiations to join FOX and potentially succeed Troy Aikman as the network’s No. 1 analyst, according to Front Office Sports’ Mike McCarthy. The deal isn’t done yet, and McCarthy added Payton could want upward of $10 million per year given Aikman’s reported five-year, $90 million deal with ESPN.

After Aikman’s departure, former NFL tight end Greg Olsen has also been rumored to move up to replace him. He served as FOX’s No. 2 analyst this past year and is seen as a rising star. But McCarthy added Amazon expressed interest in Olsen for a potential studio role for Thursday Night Football. But given Aikman’s move to ESPN, Amazon might consider the former Carolina Panther to be the analyst for TNF.

Aikman spent 20 years at FOX alongside Joe Buck and made the move to ESPN earlier this week to serve as the network’s analyst for Monday Night Football. It’s part of a wild offseason of NFL broadcasting moves, including legendary play-by-play man Al Michaels, who’s weighing his options after his contract expired at NBC. The New York Post’s Andrew Marchand reported ESPN could make a run at either Michaels or Buck, as well.

Payton resigned as Saints head coach after this season. He spent 15 seasons with New Orleans, amassing a 152-89 record in that time and leading the Saints to a Super Bowl XLIV title in 2009. Rumors swirled about a media career after the announcement, and it sounds like FOX is trying to make that a reality.

Report: Troy Aikman leaving FOX for major network

The decision is in. Troy Aikman is leaving FOX for ESPN.

Aikman is departing FOX to becoming ESPN’s main analyst for Monday Night Football, according to the New York Post’s Andrew Marchand. Marchand previously reported Aikman was “on the verge” of leaving FOX earlier Wednesday.

His contract is five years and expected to be at the level of Tony Romo’s deal with CBS, Marchand reported. Romo makes $17.5 million per year to work alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson. Marchand added the deal isn’t signed, but it’s almost done.

Aikman worked for FOX since 2001 and worked largely alongside Joe Buck during that time. Marchand added ESPN could make a run at Buck, whose contract expires after this season.

But for now, the immediate question is who will replace Aikman as FOX’s No. 1 analyst? Marchand dropped some interesting names as potential candidates.

FOX will consider Greg Olson — the network’s highly regarded No. 2 analyst — and former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton for the role. But NBC analyst Drew Brees could also be in consideration, Marchand said, even though he’s also being eyed by Amazon for Thursday Night Football.