Pat McAfee announces major career decision on eve of new job revealing ‘business has passed him by’

Pat McAfee is a man of many talents.

The former Indianapolis Colts punter retired from the NFL in 2017 and quickly became a major sport media personality, appearing on ESPN as an NFL talking head as well as the network’s flagship Saturday college football program, College Gameday.

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McAfee has also been heavily involved in WWE for a number of years.

The 38-year-old got his start in the WWE as an announcer for NXT in 2020. He has also appeared in several matches, including at WrestleMania, while serving as a color commentator.

Pat McAfee admits WWE business has ‘passed him by’

However, it’s been a while since McAfee was on duties alongside play-by-play legend Michael Cole, and it appears he doesn’t plan on returning to WWE any time soon.

“I don’t think you ever say never, especially with the WWE,” McAfee said, replying to a fan question on his social media. “But right now, it does not feel like it is something that is supposed to happen. It feels like that business has kind of passed me by a little bit.

“I grew up loving it, dreamed of working it, [and] feel honored that I got the opportunity to work alongside the GOAT, Michael Cole. But I feel like the business is in a good spot without me. I’ll continue to watch.”

“I do miss Pat in WWE,” replied one fan. “Hope we can see an appearance from him down the line.

“Is exactly what I would say if I was calling Wrestlemania lol,” joked another.

“I don’t get the hate for pat. Enjoyed him on commentary.

Apart from an appearance at Wrestlepalooza in Indianapolis last September, McAfee hasn’t been on the WWE’s airwaves since June 2025.

He admitted that after his brief feud with Gunther at Backlash, exhaustion was beginning to take its toll on him.

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“I got real tired, man,” McAfee said on his radio show in July.

“I could just feel it. I’m like, ‘Oh my God, my brain is not operating right now. I knew this moment was coming, like I knew it was gonna happen at some point.”

McAfee has become a major player at ESPN, building The Pat McAfee Show into a powerhouse content machine.

He has split his time between WWE and ESPN since 2021, but as his influence as grown in NFL circles he has dedicated less and less time to pro wrestling.

McAfee will lead ESPN’s coverage of NFL free agency

McAfee’s latest announcement comes hot on the heels of a fresh development at ESPN.

During the Worldwide Leader’s NFL free agency coverage last year, ESPN decided to move McAfee’s show over to ESPN2 while it produced it’s own special programming, including a special edition of SportsCenter, to cover what’s traditionally known as the ‘legal tampering’ period of free agency.

For this year’s free agency, however, the network will have McAfee front and center from his Thunderdome studio in Indianapolis to cover one of the most hectic events on the NFL calendar, starting from Monday 9 March.

The eponymous host will get to interview Peter Schrager, Dan Orlovsky and plenty of other ESPN personalities while the top free agents are negotiating contracts for the 2026 NFL season.

The news is yet another feather in the cap for McAfee.

ESPN ceding one of its busiest news days to McAfee to cover his testament to his popularity and pulling power, across both television and social media.

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