ESPN is shaking up its NFL coverage for the 2026 season, and one name is generating plenty of buzz: Kyle Brandt. The former NFL Network host, best known for co-founding 'Good Morning Football,' is reportedly getting a major platform at the World Wide Leader. According to Front Office Sports, Brandt is expected to appear across multiple ESPN studio shows, with a particularly prominent weekly role on the morning program Get Up.
Brandt has already been making guest appearances on Get Up, and sources say that will become a regular thing once the football season kicks into high gear. One insider told Front Office Sports that Brandt is being positioned as a recurring weekly presence on the show. An ESPN spokesperson declined to comment on the specifics, but the writing is on the wall: Brandt is about to become a much bigger part of the network's NFL coverage.
This move comes as ESPN continues to integrate talent from the NFL Network, which it acquired earlier this year. It's a strategic play that gives the network more familiar faces for fans who have followed Brandt's work over the years. His energetic style and deep football knowledge have made him a polarizing figure, but there's no denying his passion for the game.
Mixed Reactions from Fans
As with any big-name addition, the response has been split. Some fans see Brandt as a knowledgeable analyst who can help casual viewers understand the complexities of the NFL. Others find his on-air persona grating. Social media has been buzzing with both praise and criticism. One user on X wrote, 'From the standpoint of football knowledge / ability to help fans understand the NFL game: Ryan Clark out, and Kyle Brandt in, represents a significant downgrade.' Another countered, 'Ryan Clark out and Kyle Brandt in couldn't be a smarter move by ESPN. We just want SPORTS.'
Brandt's signature segment 'Angry Runs' has become a cult favorite, and fans are curious whether it will survive the transition. One user joked, 'And all he has to do is dress in a suit and tie. Four days a week on @gmfb? Well, that’s better than reassigning him away from the show altogether. We assume ‘Angry Runs’ has survived.'
Not everyone is thrilled, though. A third fan declared, 'If Kyle Brandt is on @GetUpESPN , I’ll be tuning out. This was a huge mistake. His whole persona is nails on a Chalkboard.' It's a reminder that in the world of sports media, you can't please everybody.
Brandt's expanded role is part of a broader trend at ESPN, which has been shaking up its roster amid layoffs and new hires. The network recently parted ways with Cam Newton, a move that raised eyebrows. Meanwhile, Tim Tebow has locked in a long-term deal with the SEC Network, showing ESPN is investing in familiar faces. Brandt's addition could be seen as a counterbalance to those losses, giving the network a fresh voice for its NFL coverage.
Whether fans love him or hate him, Kyle Brandt is about to become a fixture on ESPN this season. His ability to connect with viewers and break down the game will be put to the test as he steps into a bigger spotlight. One thing is certain: the NFL landscape on ESPN is evolving, and Brandt is right in the middle of it.
