Laura Rutledge Joins ESPN’s Premier Monday Night Football Crew

Laura Rutledge is set for a busy fall season as she steps into a permanent role on ESPN’s top "Monday Night Football" (MNF) team. The host of "NFL Live" will work alongside Lisa Salters, sharing sideline responsibilities for the entire 2025 season, as officially announced by the network.

Key Details of Rutledge’s New Role

• Games Covered: Rutledge, alongside Salters, will cover all 20 games, including:

  • 17 "Monday Night Football" matches
  • One game during ESPN’s Saturday Week 18 doubleheader
  • A wild-card game
  • A divisional round game
• Booth Partners: They will collaborate with the esteemed booth team of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman.

A Dream Come True for Rutledge

Rutledge expressed her enthusiasm about the new position, stating, “Monday Night Football is the pinnacle, and it’s always been a dream of mine. I still get chills every time I hear the ‘MNF’ music. I’m really excited to continue to work as hard as possible to earn this role.”

A Tribute to Mentorship

At 36 years old, Rutledge acknowledges the significant influence that Salters has had on her career trajectory. In a recent feature, she remarked, “To even see my name next to Lisa Salters is an honor. For years now, she has been such a wonderful mentor and friend to me.” This admiration has only strengthened over the years as Rutledge has honed her skills working select games as a secondary sideline reporter.

Upcoming Career Milestones

Rutledge’s promotion aligns closely with several upcoming milestones:

• Super Bowl 2027: The ESPN crew, including Rutledge, will provide sideline coverage during the Super Bowl.
• Continued Leadership: In addition to her MNF role, she will maintain her positions hosting "NFL Live" during weekdays and "SEC Nation" on Saturday mornings.

ESPN’s Secondary MNF Team

While Rutledge and Salters take the spotlight, ESPN’s No. 2 Monday Night Football team will feature:

• Katie George and Peter Schrager: Newly joined sideline reporters
• Booth Team: Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky, and Louis Riddick will oversee coverage for five games in 2025. This includes four “MNF” doubleheaders and the second game of the Week 18 Saturday doubleheader.

Conclusion

Laura Rutledge’s elevation to a permanent sideline reporter for ESPN’s "Monday Night Football" underscores her rising star in sports broadcasting. With her talent and commitment, she is poised to become a vital presence on viewers’ screens throughout one of the most-watched NFL seasons.

For more updates on sports news and broadcasting careers, check sources like ESPN and The Athletic.