Former NFL MVP and Super Bowl champion quarterback Peyton Manning is apparently aware of ESPN's interest in bring him on board after Jon Gruden's departure from Monday Night Football back to the Oakland Raiders.
According to Richard Deitsch, while speaking with Senior Vice President, Event & Studio Production at ESPN Stephanie Druley, Manning has not shown interest in the position, but is aware of ESPN's interest.
"We like Peyton Manning,' Druley said. "And we would be foolish not to talk him."
Druley did not rule out a member of ESPN Sunday Countdown taking over the vacant position in the booth, "if the right person is sitting on the Countdown set."
Manning was listed as a favorite to take over the job after Gruden jumped to the Raiders.
The former quarterback has taken on numerous roles since retiring from the NFL in 2015, including helping out with the University of Tennessee's coaching search.
Considered a brilliant football mind, Manning is expected to be a hot commodity for networks looking to duplicate the success of former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who excelled in his first year as an analyst for CBS despite having limited previous experience in the booth.
Manning, 41, was a two-time Super Bowl champion, 14-time Pro Bowler and five-time MVP.
