JJ Watt addresses ESPN layoffs with Pat McAfee: ‘Is everybody fired to pay you?’

SportsJJ Watt poked fun at Pat McAfee's salary during a recent appearance on McAfee's show. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)Getty ImagesBy Matt Connolly | mconnolly@pennlive.comFuture Hall of Famer J.J. Watt brought up ESPN’s layoffs this week during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.Watt joined McAfee during Tuesday’s show after several ESPN employees were let go.Longtime broadcaster Karl Ravech, former NFL safety Ryan Clark, former NFL linebacker Bart Scott, former NFL MVP Cam Newton, NFL insider Tom Pelissero and others were laid off Monday and Tuesday.“Slow, slow news day over there on the ESPN airwaves, huh? I mean, besides the fact that you’re getting $100 million,” Watt said. “Did they keep anybody, or is everybody fired to pay you?”The Athletic reported in June that McAfee and ESPN are discussing a new contract that would make him one of the highest-paid people in sports. McAfee’s new deal could pay him between $60 and $65 million per year, according to the report.McAfee could have additional responsibilities with ESPN, including contributing more to NFL coverage, if a deal is agreed upon, according to The Athletic. The 39-year-old McAfee is currently one of the stars of ESPN College GameDay, and he contributes to a number of other shows on the network.McAfee also hosts a weekday noon show that originates from his own platform and is simulcast on ESPN.In addition, he has hosted numerous alternate broadcasts for major sporting events, including College Football Playoff games and the NBA Finals.For comparison, Dak Prescott is the highest-paid NFL quarterback for the 2026 season at $60 million. Josh Allen, Joe Burrow and a handful of others will make $55 million this year, according to Spotrac.Spotrac adds that only Stephen Curry in the NBA and Shohei Ohtani in MLB will make at least $60 million in 2026.McAfee is currently making close to $30 million per year and has two years remaining on his contract, according to The Athletic.If McAfee does end up agreeing to an extension worth $60 million per year, his annual salary would triple the $20 million per year Stephen A. Smith earns under his contract with ESPN. Another one of the network’s biggest stars, Smith signed a five-year $100 million deal with ESPN in 2025, The Athletic reports.Matt Connolly is a Sports Trending Reporter for PennLive, writing about the NFL, college sports and other topics. He has covered college football and college basketball since 2010 and was on the Clemson beat...