Former NFL punter and media personality Pat McAfee is facing criticism following his debut on ESPN's Monday Night Football broadcast, as the program trailed a rival broadcast in viewership.
McAfee, who joined the Monday Night Football crew for the 2026 season, has been a prominent figure in sports media through his eponymous show. His addition to the flagship NFL broadcast was highly anticipated, but early ratings indicate the telecast fell behind a competing network's offering.
Details regarding the specific rival broadcast and the extent of the ratings gap were not immediately disclosed. ESPN has not yet commented on the criticism surrounding McAfee's exposure on the network.
