ESPN Targets Dave Pasch and Bob Wichusen to Replace Chris Fowler

ESPN is moving toward replacing Chris Fowler as the play-by-play announcer for its secondary NFL broadcast team, according to Andrew Marchand of The Athletic. The network is reportedly “zeroing in” on Dave Pasch and Bob Wichusen to split the play-by-play duties for games not handled by Joe Buck.

Why is ESPN replacing Chris Fowler?

Scheduling conflicts with college football are the primary driver for the change. In 2026, five NFL games will be played internationally during the college football season.

Because Fowler has college football duties on Saturdays, Andrew Marchand reports those international games are impossible for him to handle. Pasch and Wichusen, who already call college football for ESPN, are expected to split the excess games.

Did You Know? Dave Pasch and Bob Wichusen both have professional NFL experience outside of ESPN; Pasch handles play-by-play for the Cardinals on radio, and Wichusen does the same for the Jets.

Who will join the NFL broadcast booth?

While Pasch and Wichusen are the targets for play-by-play, the analyst roles remain flexible. Jason Kelce is currently under consideration to serve as a game analyst for some matchups.

Kurt Warner and Louis Riddick are also in the mix for other games. Previously, the booth for games not assigned to Joe Buck and Troy Aikman consisted of Fowler, Riddick, and Dan Orlovsky.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that by utilizing announcers like Pasch and Wichusen, ESPN can maintain a consistent voice across its college and professional properties while solving the logistical nightmare of international scheduling.

How does the 2026 schedule affect the crew?

The 2026 slate includes eight non-Monday night games for ESPN. According to the report, seven of those games will be televised by the NFL Network.

The distribution of these games may lead to a rotating cast of analysts. Depending on availability, the network could pair different combinations of Kelce, Warner, and Riddick with the new play-by-play duo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is expected to replace Chris Fowler?

Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reports that ESPN is focusing on Dave Pasch and Bob Wichusen to take over the play-by-play role for games not handled by Joe Buck.

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Why can’t Chris Fowler call the international games?

Fowler’s existing college football duties on Saturdays create a conflict that makes it impossible for him to handle the five international games scheduled during the college season.

Which analysts are being considered for the 2026 season?

Jason Kelce is under consideration for some games, while Kurt Warner and Louis Riddick are also in the mix for others.

Which of these broadcast pairings do you think will bring the most energy to the international games?