Two-time Super Bowl champion out at ESPN after 15 years
Former NFL star Damien Woody did not have his contract renewed by ESPN.
Olivia Bennett 
The ESPN roster is undergoing a major shakeup as the network moves on from two-time Super Bowl champion Damien Woody. After a 15-year tenure as a prominent NFL analyst, Woody will not have his contract renewed, according to reports from Andrew Marchand of The Athletic.
Woody is expected to remain with the network through the end of August. Reflecting on his long-standing role, Woody told Marchand, “Being at ESPN for 15 years, it’s been an absolute joy.”
A Decorated Career on and off the Field
Before stepping into the broadcasting booth, Woody enjoyed a standout 12-season NFL career. A first-round pick in the 1999 NFL Draft out of Boston College, the All-American offensive lineman played for the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions, and New York Jets. He appeared in 173 total games and anchored the line during his five-year stint in New England, where he secured two Super Bowl rings.
Transitioning immediately from the gridiron to the screen, Woody joined ESPN in August 2011. He quickly became a staple of the network's football coverage, offering his insights on flagship programs including Get Up, First Take, NFL Live, and SportsCenter.
Changes at the Network
Woody’s departure marks the latest exit for high-profile talent at the network heading into the 2026 season. He joins a list of former NFL players recently let go by ESPN, including Ryan Clark, Cam Newton, and Bart Scott.
While the moves are part of a broader shift in personnel, Marchand reports that the network views the decision regarding Woody differently than other recent layoffs. At the time of his departure, Woody was earning nearly $1 million annually. The analyst had previously been the subject of heavy interest from FS1, which attempted to recruit him four years ago.
