USA TODAY — ESPN has finally unveiled its Monday Night Football crew for the 2018 NFL season.
The network, which had already confirmed retired Cowboys tight end Jason Witten's role as an analyst in the booth, announced Thursday that former Buccaneers defensive tackle Anthony "Booger" McFarland will serve as MNF's first field-level analyst. Joe Tessitore will handle the play-by-play duties for the broadcast's 49th season, and Lisa Salters returns for her seventh year to report from the sidelines.
“Monday Night Football is part of the storied fabric of the NFL," Witten said in a statement. "Growing up it was a night I looked forward to every week. Having spent 15 years as a member the Dallas Cowboys, I am excited and proud to represent another iconic franchise and join the team at ESPN and MNF. I love the game of football, and look forward to sharing my thoughts and insight with the viewers around the world.”
The new crew will make its regular-season debut when the Raiders (and former MNFanalyst Jon Gruden) host the Rams on Sept. 10. It will mark the first time the primary crew has worked the second half of the Week 1 Monday night doubleheader. The Lions will also host the Jets earlier that night, and that game's broadcast lineup will be announced at a future date.
