Former NFL wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. is about to become a much more familiar face on ESPN. According to reports, the five-time Pro Bowler is set to take on a recurring role across the network's NFL programming this fall, filling a void left by recent high-profile departures.

ESPN's latest round of layoffs hit the NFL analyst team hard, with Ryan Clark, Tom Pelissero, and others shown the door. The network's decision to let Clark go during his own show raised eyebrows and sparked concerns about job security among on-air talent. With those veteran voices gone, ESPN is turning to Smith to bring his signature energy and insight to the airwaves.

Read also
NFL
Romo's Refusal: Key Detail Emerges in OWI Arrest
Tony Romo allegedly refused a police request during his OWI arrest, adding a new wrinkle to the case. The CBS announcer faces court in September.

Smith, 47, already has experience in the media world, having worked as an analyst for the NFL Network. Now, he's expected to pop up on shows like Get Up, First Take, NFL Live, and the upcoming Peter Schrager program that will air at 2 p.m. ET after The Pat McAfee Show. The exact schedule is still being finalized, but the network clearly sees him as a key piece of its NFL coverage.

On the field, Smith was a force to be reckoned with. Over 16 seasons with the Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens, he hauled in 1,031 passes for 14,731 yards and 81 touchdowns. He earned Comeback Player of the Year honors in 2005 and was named to five Pro Bowls. Despite those credentials, he has yet to receive a call from the Pro Football Hall of Fame—a snub that still fuels his competitive fire.

Smith's rise at ESPN comes at a time of transition for the network. The recent layoffs, which also included MLB announcer Karl Ravech, have reshaped the roster. Kyle Brandt is also stepping into a bigger role this season, signaling a new era for ESPN's NFL coverage. Smith's blunt, no-nonsense style should fit right in with the network's lineup of opinionated voices.

For Smith, this is a chance to prove he can thrive in the studio just as he did on the gridiron. He'll be covering the biggest stories in the NFL, from free agency moves to playoff races, and fans can expect him to bring the same intensity that made him a legend on Sundays.