Damien Woody out at ESPN after 15 years

ESPN talent changes continued this week, with NFL analyst Damien Woody reportedly parting ways with the network.

Andrew Marchand was first to report the news for The Athletic, reporting Woody’s contract was not renewed. Woody will, however, continue contributing to ESPN’s NFL coverage for the remainder of this month, which he told Marchand was his choice.

Karl Ravech, who was unceremoniously laid off this summer after 33 years with ESPN, will similarly continue working this month, calling Wednesday night’s New York Yankees-Seattle Mariners game before returning to his post as the voice of the Little League World Series one last time. In contrast, Ryan Clark was laid off and forced off NFL Live during a commercial break.

Several years ago, ESPN made a big contract offer to keep Woody from going to FS1, who sought to pair him with Craig Carton. At the time, Woody still had a year left on his contract, allowing ESPN to keep him from making the switch. Carton has since returned to WFAN in afternoon drive after his FS1 show was ultimately canceled.

Woody’s media career has surpassed his NFL one in longevity, having played 12 seasons with the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions and New York Jets before retiring in 2011. From there, Woody immediately transitioned into broadcasting with ESPN, where he became synonymous with the network’s NFL coverage.

“Being at ESPN for 15 years, it’s been an absolute joy,” Woody told Marchand.

Woody has been a regular on Get Up, First Take and SportsCenter throughout his tenure at ESPN. He now joins Clark and Bart Scott as NFL analysts who ESPN is moving on from as the network gears up for another NFL season.