Contenders emerge to replace Molly Qerim on ESPN's First Take

ESPN is evaluating a slate of candidates to sit alongside Stephen A. Smith on First Take, after Molly Qerim confirmed her departure from the long-running talk show. The 41-year-old anchor left the network following a decade in the hot seat, and ESPN has yet to finalize terms of a new agreement that would keep her on the program. The development sets up a high-profile search to fill a prominent role on a program that remains a cornerstone of ESPN's daytime lineup.

Shae Peppler Cornette has emerged as a leading candidate in talks about a permanent replacement. Cornette has often filled in for Qerim when she has been absent, and she is already a familiar face for viewers as a host on SportsCenter and other ESPN programs, in addition to her past reporting duties with the Big Ten Network. The Chicago native has covered the Bears and, earlier this summer, faced attention after being photographed in a Green Bay Packers shirt at Lambeau Field, for which she apologized. Cornette is viewed by some as the obvious choice to step into the role alongside Smith given her on-air experience and existing presence on ESPN platforms.

Peter Schrager, the NFL Network veteran who joined ESPN about six months ago, has also been cited as a top contender. Schrager built recognition hosting NFL Network's Good Morning Football for nearly a decade and later served as an NFL insider for Fox, working in both studios and on the sideline. Since arriving at ESPN, he has appeared across several programs, including Get Up, First Take, The Pat McAfee Show, NFL Live and SportsCenter, making him a familiar face to the network's audience and a potential fit for a show that blends analysis with breaking news.

Malika Andrews, 30, is another name frequently discussed in connection with the vacancy. Andrews currently hosts ESPN's NBA studio shows, NBA Countdown and NBA Today, and she was quickly linked to the role after ESPN announced a multi-year contract extension for her. The Oakland, California native rose to prominence during the 2019-20 NBA playoffs in Orlando, when on-site reporting drew praise amid the pandemic-era season. Her star ascent within ESPN's basketball coverage has made her a strong candidate in the eyes of some observers.

Courtney Cronin, who joined ESPN in 2017, has also been mentioned as a potential fit for First Take. Cronin began as a reporter for the Minnesota Vikings, later moved to the Chicago Bears beat, and has since worked across ESPN platforms. She has contributed on SportsCenter, Around the Horn and First Take and is known for a traditional journalism background that could bring a different perspective to the show’s dynamic.

ESPN has not publicly named a permanent replacement, and the network has emphasized that discussions over terms with Qerim were not resolved. The departure leaves a gap on a program that combines debate, analysis and pop culture, and the company remains focused on identifying a successor who can energize the show while preserving its audience appeal. Viewers and media observers will be watching closely as the network weighs the pros and cons of each candidate and tests fit with Smith’s style and the show’s established cadence.

As ESPN charts its next chapter for First Take, aides and executives are expected to evaluate a range of on-air personalities with different backgrounds—from traditional print-to-broadcast reporters to broadcasters who bring a more entertainment-oriented sensibility. The outcome will help shape the program’s identity in a landscape where live sports commentary and opinion-driven conversation are increasingly central to ESPN’s daytime strategy.