Five names to replace Jimmy Johnson on Fox NFL Sunday including Travis Kelce, Stephen A. Smith and ESPN rival

JIMMY Johnson has shockingly retired from Fox NFL Sunday, leaving a seat open on the show’s desk.

Johnson appeared on The Herd with Colin Cowherd to discuss his departure from Fox.

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Jimmy Johnson has announced his retirement from Fox Sports on The HerdCredit: Fox NFL

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Rob Gronkowski could be a full-time replacement for JohnsonCredit: Getty

The 81-year-old originally hinted at a retirement in a segment during the Super Bowl.

He was teary-eyed after Fox aired a tribute to his career before the game started.

Now, Johnson has confirmed that his time on Fox NFL Sunday is over, which means the network needs to find a replacement by the time the 2025 season starts.

Here are five names that could make sense as the next analyst on Fox NFL Sunday:

ROB GRONKOWSKI

Yes, Rob Gronkowski is already a member of Fox NFL Sunday, but he doesn’t appear on every show.

Gronk is often away from the Fox NFL Sunday desk, making sporadic appearances throughout the season and playoffs.

However, with Johnson leaving the show, Fox might ask Gronk to become a full-time member of the cast to replace him.

Gronk has no other broadcast obligations outside of Fox, so he could probably increase his duties fairly easily.

This would be an easy choice for Fox to make.

STEPHEN A. SMITH

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Stephen A. Smith could leave ESPN to join Fox NFL SundayCredit: Getty

Sure, Stephen A. Smith doesn’t exactly meld with the personalities on Fox NFL Sunday, but he would certainly bring viewership.

Stephen A’s First Take is the most-watches sports talk show on TV, with most of those viewers coming to see him.

Also, Stephen A. is an impending free agent, as ESPN has yet to come to an agreement with him about a new contract.

Perhaps Fox could come swooping in with an offer he can’t refuse to allow Stephen A. to have a talk show on the network and appear on Fox NFL Sunday.

Fox is already paying Tom Brady a massive contract, why not add Stephen A. to the list.

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MICHAEL IRVIN

Michael Irvin is already a member of Fox and a former NFL player, so he could be an easy shoe-in for a role on Fox NFL Sunday

Irvin currently holds a position on Speak with Joy Taylor and Paul Pierce.

He is more of a reactionary analyst than usually on Fox NFL Sunday, but he could bring a new angle to the show’s coverage.

Irvin’s NFL career also fits in with all of the other analysts on Fox NFL Sunday.

AARON RODGERS

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Aaron Rodgers will be a coveted sports analysts after he retires from the NFLCredit: AP

Aaron Rodgers is currently searching for a new team in the NFL, but what happens if he doesn’t find one?

Well, Rodgers could be a highly coveted free agent in the world of sports television if he decides to retire.

He would instantly bring a Hall of Fame level of experience to the Fox NFL Sunday desk, and his mellow personality would likely play well with members like Michael Strahan and Terry Bradshaw.

Rodgers does have his fair share of off the field drama though, and there is no telling if Fox would be interested in dealing with that on their set.

TRAVIS KELCE

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Travis Kelce already has experience on TV screensCredit: AP

Travis Kelce is the crown jewel that every sports TV network is waiting to get their hands on.

While it seems that Kelce is going to stay in the NFL for one more year, Fox NFL Sunday could bide their time and try to wait for him to enter retirement.

Kelce would instantly bring a massive amount of viewership to the show that could explode its popularity.

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While Kelce does want to build a future in Hollywood, it is possible he could balance that and Fox NFL Sunday.

Fox would have to provide an offer he can’t refuse to beat out any other network though.