Report: Mike Greenberg to replace Sam Ponder as host of ESPN NFL Countdown

Mike Greenberg will serve as the host of ESPN‘s “Sunday NFL Countdown” in 2024, according to Andrew Marchand of The Athletic.

Greenberg replaces Sam Ponder, whom ESPN fired last week along with Robert Griffin III. ESPN cited “budget cuts” in their departures. Ponder had a year and more than a million dollars left on her contract, per Marchand.

With Ponder gone, Greenberg gets a promotion and adds to his ever-growing plate of responsibilities. Greenberg, who has been at ESPN since 1996, hosts “Get Up” on TV and “Greeny” on radio. Greenberg got the job over Laura Rutledge, who hosts “NFL Live” Monday-Friday on ESPN.

Joining Greenberg on “Sunday NFL Countdown” this season will be Randy Moss, Tedy Bruschi, Rex Ryan, Alex Smith and Adam Schefter. “Monday NFL Countdown,” hosted by Scott Van Pelt, will feature newcomer Jason Kelce alongside Marcus Spears and Ryan Clark.

ESPN promotes Mike Greenberg after Sam Ponder, Robert Griffin III firings

Ponder, wife to former Florida State and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder, became “NFL Sunday Countdown” host in 2017. Griffin, meanwhile, joined the network in 2021 following a near decade long career in the NFL.

The 2011 Heisman Trophy winner served as a regular college football color commentator and analyst for the network and briefly worked on “Monday NFL Countdown.” Griffin was seen as a rising star in sports media but will now look to display his talents elsewhere.

“As I sit here with my family on this beautiful day, we are overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support from you guys over the last past 72+ hours. YOU GUYS ARE THE ABSOLUTE BEST,” Griffin wrote on X Sunday. “Your support means everything to us, and I can’t wait to connect with you all directly about everything. I’ll be sitting down soon to chat with YOU, so make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel, drop all your questions here and under my latest video and I’ll be answering them soon.

“@OuttaPocketRG3 We’re honored that you love the way we cover sports, tell stories, and celebrate life. As a family we try to inspire people to be their best everyday, but it’s YOU who inspire us to push even harder. Let’s keep this journey going together.”