After retiring from the NFL and immediately landing one of the most coveted analyst jobs in all of sports, Jason Witten has decided to turn his back on his potential career in broadcasting in favor of suiting up for at least one more season in the NFL. If you missed the news, Witten announced on Thursday he was leaving ESPN to return for his 16th season with the Dallas Cowboys.

Witten has agreed to a one-year deal worth $3.5 million to play in Dallas next season. He offered up the following statement following his decision to return to the field:

“The fire inside of me to compete and play this game is just burning too strong. This team has a great group of rising young stars, and I want to help them make a run at a championship. This was completely my decision, and I am very comfortable with it. I’m looking forward to getting back in the dirt.”

Now the big question for ESPN is who replaces Witten? There will be plenty of names interested in the position but it should be noted that the Monday Night crew went with a three-man team of sorts last season with Joe Tessitore, Booger McFarland and Witten. McFarland spent most of the season on a cart down on the field but moved into the booth late in the season.

The three-man team was not well received by many, which leaves some to question how ESPN will react without Witten in the fold for 2019. Big names are already being thrown out but you can’t completely rule out ESPN going with just Tessitore and McFarland, either.

Richard Deitsch of the Athletic is calling for ESPN NFL analyst Louis Riddick to get the job, while John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal suggests ESPN will stick with Tessitore and McFarland without adding anyone else. Kurt Warner is another name that many are speculating could be the choice, as he reportedly finished as the runner-up to Witten during the last offseason.

Of course, the big fish that many are eager to hire is none other than Peyton Manning. While he’s turned down these opportunities in the past, there’s no doubt ESPN will at least gauge Manning’s interest in the position before making a final decision. According to online sportsbook OddsShark, Manning is the favorite to be named the next MNF lead analyst.

Here are the odds the online book currently lists:

  • Peyton Manning +200
  • Louis Riddick +225
  • Greg Olsen +350
  • Kurt Warner +900
  • Matt Hasselbeck +900
  • Boomer Esiason +1200
  • Randy Moss +1400
  • Steve Young +2000
  • Tim Tebow +3300
  • John Madden +10000

Which move do you expect ESPN to make following Witten’s return to the NFL?