Those tuning in to Thursday’s preseason matchup between the Bears and Seahawks on ESPN were treated to quite the surprise.
With Joe Buck and Troy Aikman sliding into the “Monday Night Football” booth this season following their lengthy tenure at Fox, some suspected that the dynamic duo would call the game. However, the network’s team from last season — Dan Orlovsky, Louis Riddick and Steve Levy — were in the booth.
As the internet buzzed about Buck and Aikman’s whereabouts, Pro Football Talk solved the short-live mystery, reporting that the pair was “doing a rehearsal” in Seattle.
Troy Aikman and Joe Buck did not call Thursday’s preseason game between the Bears and Seahawks. Getty Images,
Joe Buck and Troy Aikman departed Fox for ESPN this offseason and will slide into the “Monday Night Football” booth. APLeading up to what would be a 27-11 Chicago win on Thursday night, Buck posted a photo Tuesday of his preparations.
“And so it begins!!!” he tweeted. “Can’t wait to get to work. This is the first of 20 of these. See you in Seattle @ESPNNFL.”
ESPN officially announced the additions of Buck and Aikman in March, about a month after The Post’s Andrew Marchand first reported that Aikman was on the verge of departing Fox. Aikman signed a five-year, $90 million contract, per sources, while Buck also nabbed a five-year deal worth $75 million.
Buck and Aikman are expected to make their “Monday Night Football” on Monday, Sept. 12, when the Seahawks host the Broncos and their former franchise quarterback, Russell Wilson.
