Professional athletes using their experiences to make the jump from the gridiron to the analyst chair is something that Detroit Lions fans have seen more of in recent years.
With the demand for news and analysis of the NFL as high as ever, one former Lions signal-caller is making the move from one major network to another.
Exclusive: Chase Daniel is joining ESPN as a college football analyst.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) August 19, 2025
The former NFL QB, who previously worked with FS1 and NFL Network, will debut alongside Clay Matvick on Aug. 30 for Duquesne–Pitt.
Ex-Lions QB Chase Daniel Lands ESPN Gig After Surprise Firing in July
According to a report from Front Office Sports, ex-Detroit QB Chase Daniel has joined ESPN in a new role. This comes after his surprise dismissal from the Fox Sports broadcast lineup in July. Rather than being part of a studio show, as he was during his stint with Fox Sports, Daniel is heading back to school as he will be a college football analyst.
Daniel was a standout college QB during his time with the Missouri Tigers, throwing for over 12,000 yards and 101 touchdowns over his four years with the program. This earned him a fourth-place finish in the voting for the 2007 Heisman Trophy Award.
The New Orleans Saints gave Daniel his first shot in the pros as he signed with the team's practice squad after not being selected in the 2009 NFL Draft. The Saints were the first of six stops for Daniels during his NFL career, which spanned from 2010 to 2022. In addition to his time with the Lions, Daniels also suited up for the Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Los Angeles Chargers.
In the end, the veteran backup QB appeared in 74 games over his NFL career but threw for just 1,746 yards along with nine touchdowns and seven interceptions. In four games played for Detroit, Daniel was the definition of average, as he accumulated 264 yards passing and one touchdown to two interceptions.
Now, Daniel will put his analyst hat on and bring the type of insight to the college game that made him a household name during his career at Missouri. His first broadcast will come on Aug. 30 when the Pittsburgh Panthers host the Duquesne Dukes.