ESPN canceling Keyshawn, JWill & Max radio show

The morning show slot on ESPN Radio has undergone some major changes since Mike & Mike signed off after 17 years. Golic & Wingo took its place in 2017 before it became Keyshawn, JWill & Zubin in 2020 and, ultimately, Keyshawn, JWill & Max in 2021.

Now, that 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET slot will have a new show, once again.

ESPN is preparing to pull the plug on Keyshawn, JWill & Max as it gets ready for layoffs, the New York Post’s Andrew Marchand reported. It’s unclear when exactly the show will go off the air, but it will be yet another move as layoffs come across the network.

Kellerman’s future was already up in the air. Marchand previously reported This Just In could be pulled from the daily programming schedule to make room for The Pat McAfee Show, which is set to go in that time slot later this year. Radio would’ve been another way to keep him on the network after his stint as First Take co-host went south. However, it appears the network is preparing to move on.

How ‘KJM’ decision could impact Keyshawn Johnson and Jay Williams at ESPN

As for Johnson and Williams, their futures are “in flux,” according to Marchand. Johnson has been with ESPN since 2007 as part of the network’s NFL coverage. The New York Jets took Johnson No. 1 overall in the 1996 NFL Draft out of USC, and he played in the league from 1996-2006 with the Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers.

Marchand reported Johnson signed a four-year deal with ESPN last year and, depending on how the network proceeds with the rest of the process, he could be a candidate to replace Shannon Sharpe on Undisputed on FS1. If he stays with the network, Johnson could land an expanded role on NFL coverage. “Monday Night Countdown” analyst Steve Young could be one of the cuts as part of the layoffs, and ESPN could opt to put Johnson in that spot.

Williams’ contract situation is different from Johnson’s, though. His deal is set to expire at the end of the summer. However, Marchand added ESPN seems to like what Williams brings to the table as an NBA analyst and he could find a way to stay on board in a different role.

The Chicago Bulls drafted Williams No. 2 overall out of Duke in 2002, but his career ended abruptly after a motorcycle accident in 2006. He joined ESPN full-time in 2008.

Layoffs could pick up at ESPN into next week, Marchand reported, as the network continues to restructure. Disney CEO Bob Iger previously announced plans to lay off 7,000 employees across the company.