Chad Johnson vying to fill Shannon Sharpe’s ESPN void

With Shannon Sharpe officially out at ESPN, there’s an opening on First Take, and his Nightcap partner, Chad Johnson, wants it.

Andrew Marchand of The Athletic broke the news that ESPN has parted ways with Sharpe Wednesday afternoon. Sharpe has not been on First Take since late April, when he left ESPN to focus on a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault and rape. At the time, Sharpe portrayed the leave as his decision, sharing plans to return at the start of the NFL preseason.

Earlier this month, Sharpe settled the $50 million lawsuit with his accuser, seemingly paving the way for a potential return to ESPN. Despite the settlement and Sharpe’s previously shared plans to return for the NFL preseason, ESPN has reportedly decided to cut ties.

Stephen A. Smith’s First Take isn’t short on NFL analysts, with Dan Orlovsky, Marcus Spears, Ryan Clark, and others all regular contributors. But Sharpe’s departure undoubtedly leaves a void, one that Chad Johnson appears ready to fill.

Johnson joined Get Up and First Take earlier this week on behalf of EA to discuss Madden player ratings. And he began his First Take appearance by teasing the idea of being in studio full-time during the NFL season.

“I’m gonna start September 5th, if I’m not mistaken. Because Thursday Night Football first week, so, I should be here Friday.” – Chad Johnson trying to push his way onto First Take this NFL season pic.twitter.com/IjoTGicu7a

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 30, 2025

“I can get used to this for the next six months,” Johnson said after host Molly Qerim asked whether he liked First Take’s new studio. “I’m gonna start September 5th, if I’m not mistaken. Because Thursday Night Football, first week, so, I should be here Friday.”

Qerim then advised Johnson to take it up with “the boss,” referring to Smith, who took a break from his summer vacation this week to appear on First Take remotely.

“The fact that you came off vacation for me, that lets me know you’re trying to get things started a little early,” Johnson told Smith. “And I appreciate that. Trying to preheat the oven, I like that. It’s gonna be a great season.”

Johnson has long been vying for a spot on First Take, previously pleading with Sharpe to help get him there. And after getting a taste of ESPN last NFL season, Johnson appears to want more this year. But the ironic part of Johnson continuing his quest to get a regular spot on First Take is the fact that it could now come at the expense of his Nightcap co-host, Shannon Sharpe.