Former Raven Ben Watson Reportedly on ESPN’s Radar

Ben Watson, a former NFL tight end that played with five different NFL teams between 2004 and 2018, is on ESPN’s radar for an analyst position, according to a report from the Sporting News. Watson just retired after playing in 2018 with New Orleans and is thought to be one of the best available TV prospects out there.

Per the report, Watson “made a strong impression during CBS Sports’ “Super Bowl Today” pregame show” and according to MAXX Sports president Mark Lepselter, has a “voice that goes far beyond the X’s and O’s.”

Speaking to that, Watson has already published a book, Under Our Skin, and contributed an essay to the New York Times alongside Doug Baldwin, Anquan Boldin, and Malcolm Jenkins.

Since ESPN parted ways to Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson after the 2018 NFL season, the Sporting News noted that they “could see Watson sliding into the studio chair vacated by Woodson” on Sunday NFL Countdown.

Watson played locally with Baltimore in 2016 and 2017, though he was forced to sit out all of 2016 with an injury. In 2017, he caught 61 passes for 522 yards and was also a finalist for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.