Pat McAfee speaking during his show.Pat McAfee (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
ESPN sports personality Pat McAfee has fans buzzing after posting a mysterious message on his X/Twitter account.

On July 1, ESPN announced that Pat McAfee was taking a two-week hiatus from his beloved “The Pat McAfee Show” program due to the Worldwide Leader in Sports coverage of the 2024 Wimbledon tournament.

On Saturday evening, McAfee posted a cryptic message that simply read, “Man.. I can’t wait to get back on a microphone.”

Pat McAfee’s post led to a handful of mixed responses from fans. Some wondered if he was referencing a potential return to WWE’s “Monday Night Raw” program tomorrow night:

 

Last year, McAfee left his FanDuel contract to sign a lucrative five-year deal worth $85 million with ESPN. The Worldwide Leader in Sports is getting a good return on their investment from a business standpoint, with McAfee’s show bringing in hundreds of thousands of viewers per episode.

Long before he began his successful sports media career, Pat McAfee was a punter for the Indianapolis Colts from 2009 to 2016. Indy made Super Bowl 44 in his rookie year, though they fell to Drew Brees’ New Orleans Saints 31-17. McAfee retired in 2017 after requiring multiple knee procedures.

Pat McAfee Has A Busy Few Months Ahead

Aside from hosting his show, McAfee occasionally works for WWE as a commentator and wrestler. He is also an analyst for ESPN’s popular “College GameDay” program, though it’s unclear if the former NFL punter will return to the show for the 2024 season.

McAfee’s show is at its best during the NFL season, and we’re now less than two months away from kickoff for 2024. Aside from his enticing football analysis, McAfee may also return to WWE and/or “College GameDay” in the coming months.

The 2024 NFL season kicks off on Sept. 5, with Patrick Mahomes and the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 5.

Stephen A Smith Accused Of Using Pat McAfee To Make Himself Look Better As He Tries To Secure A New ESPN Deal

Stephen A. Smith points and Pat McAfee looks on in a Cowboys hat.Stephen A. Smith & Pat McAfee (Photos via Getty Images)
Stephen A Smith is looking to secure a huge bag from ESPN next year, and it’s been claimed that he’s using Pat McAfee to help his cause.

Smith is currently on a deal that pays him $12 million a year, which is set to expire next July. According to reports, he’s in line for a significant raise and could earn up to $25 million a year as he’s been keen on becoming the highest-paid personality at The Worldwide Leader in Sports.

Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports has reported that the ‘First Take’ host is playing the role of the obedient child at the network while McAfee continues to be the delinquent bad boy.

Stephen A Smith Is Using Pat McAfee’s Antics To His Advantage

McCarthy cites an anonymous television insider who claims Stephen A. is taking advantage of McCarthy’s prickly relationship with the bosses at ESPN, doing his best to be seen as a team player.

“I’ve got to give Stephen A. credit,” the source told McCarthy. “He’s used that McAfee is such a bad team player to his own advantage. 

“He brings on only ESPN people; McAfee brings on Shams [Charania]. That’s the kind of thing Stephen A. Smith would never do. He lets Pat McAfee frustrate the ESPN executives so much, they’re like, ‘F*** it. Stephen A. is a good team player.’”

Stephen A Smith is just as outspoken as McAfee, though he won’t go as far as calling someone a “white b****” on live television. But he knows how to toe the line.