Chris Fowler Is OUT For ESPN's International NFL Games, And That's Only Half The Story

Alright, 12s, you gotta hear about this because ESPN is shaking things UP, big time, and it's going to change how we watch some of our NFL action. The word from The Athletic is that ESPN is "zeroing in" on Dave Pasch and Bob Wichusen to take over the play-by-play reins for their NFL "B" team games, the ones not handled by the main duo of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. This isn't just a tweak, folks. This is a full-on changing of the guard, and it means we're saying goodbye to Chris Fowler in that specific booth. Get ready for some new voices when you tune in.

Fowler's Saturday Commitments Lead to a Shake-Up

So, why the big move for Fowler? It all boils down to logistics, especially with those international matchups. ESPN is slated to broadcast eight non-Monday night games in 2026, and a whopping five of those are going to be played internationally during the college football season. And here's the kicker: Chris Fowler's extensive college football duties on Saturdays make it absolutely impossible for him to handle those international NFL games. He's a college football staple, right? So, something had to give. Pasch and Wichusen, who already call college football games for ESPN, are now reportedly splitting those "excess" NFL games, stepping into the void left by Fowler. Previously, Fowler shared the booth for these games with Louis Riddick and Dan Orlovsky, so it's a significant shift from what we're used to.

New Voices, New Analysts, Same NFL Grind

It's not just the play-by-play getting a facelift either. The analyst chairs are also seeing some serious movement. We're talking about Jason Kelce, Kurt Warner, and Louis Riddick, all in the mix to serve as game analysts for these non-Monday night contests. So you'll have some fresh perspectives joining the broadcast, which could be pretty wild. Seven of those eight non-Monday night games will even be televised by NFL Network, giving us even more ways to catch the action. Pasch also handles play-by-play for Cardinals games on radio, and Wichusen calls Jets games on radio, so these guys are no strangers to the pro game, even if it's a step up to the national TV stage. What does this mean for us, the fans, tuning in every week? We're going to hear some new voices breaking down the game, calling the big plays, and hopefully bringing that energy we crave. It's a fresh slate for the broadcast teams on these specific games, and you gotta wonder if these new pairings will click right away. It's a changing of the guard, and it definitely keeps things interesting as we settle into the NFL season!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.