LeSean McCoy reportedly in the running for replacing Shannon Sharpe alongside Skip Bayless

Former NFL running back LeSean McCoy could soon be in line for a significant promotion in his budding media career at Fox Sports.

According to Michael McCarthy and A.J. Perez of Front Office Sports, McCoy has emerged as a candidate to replace Shannon Sharpe as Skip Bayless’ debate partner on FS1‘s “Undisputed.” McCoy is expected to have an extended audition with Bayless once Sharpe’s buyout from Fox Sports is official.

McCoy, 34, joined FS1 in September after a 12-year career in the NFL, in which he appeared in six Pro Bowls and won two Super Bowl championships. He currently serves as co-host of FS1‘s “SPEAK” alongside Joy Taylor and Emmanuel Acho. Both Taylor and Acho are seen as candidates to succeed Sharpe. Fellow FS1 personality Nick Wright, co-host of “First Things First,” has also been mentioned. Max Kellerman and Keyshawn Johnson of ESPN as well as Michael Irvin of NFL Network are external candidates.

Bayless is said to have “final say” on Sharpe’s replacement. Per the report, Bayless is not likely to sign off on any on-air talent who “challenges” him.

Per Ryan Glasspiegel of the New York Post, Sharpe is expected to wrap up his duties following the conclusion of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat after reaching a buyout with Fox Sports. Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast will also be leaving the network.

Shannon Sharpe out at FS1, LeSean McCoy in line to replace him?

Sharpe, 54, joined FS1 in 2016 alongside Bayless after the latter left ESPN‘s “First Take.” Sharpe filled in for Stephen A. Smith on multiple occasions, showing off his chemistry with Bayless.

In recent months, however, that partnership has been tested stemming from a controversial tweet Bayless put out after Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest during a Week 17 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

“No doubt the NFL is considering postponing the rest of this game – but how? This late in the season, a game of this magnitude is crucial to the regular-season outcome … which suddenly seems so irrelevant,” Bayless wrote.

Sharpe no-showed “Undisputed” the following day. When he returned the next morning, he called out Bayless for not taking the tweet down. Bayless, meanwhile, said he stood by it.

“Let me finish,” Sharpe said. “I mean, I cannot even get through a monologue without you interrupting. … You can’t even let me finish my opening monologue.”