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Former Cincinnati Bengals star Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson appears to be coming for Shannon Sharpe's former job.
Sharpe, a former NFL star-turned sports TV analyst, was axed by ESPN on Wednesday just weeks after he reached a settlement with his ex-girlfriend, who had accused him of raping her in a $50million lawsuit.
Johnson, who co-hosts the 'Nightcap' podcast with Sharpe, appeared on ESPN's 'First Take' on Wednesday morning just hours before it was reported that the network had parted ways with the NFL Hall of Famer, who made regular guest appearances on the show.
And the former wide receiver seized the chance to pitch himself to Stephen A. Smith, Molly Qerim and the crew as he appeared to angle for a permanent position in the studio.
'I can get used to this for the next … six months,' Johnson said after host Qerim asked whether he liked the new 'First Take' studio, which is located in Lower Manhattan.
'I'm gonna start September 5, if I'm not mistaken, because 'Thursday Night Football,' first week, so, I should be here Friday.'
Chad Johnson co-hosts the 'Nightcap' podcast with close NFL friend Shannon Sharpe
Johnson (right) tried to angel for a job on 'First Take,' which Sharpe previously appeared on
'Okay, looking forward to that,' Qerim responded with a laugh before steering Johnson towards 'the boss' as she pointed to Smith, who joined the show remotely.
The ESPN star claimed that he had returned from vacation to join the program for Johnson's guest appearance, which the 47-year-old took as an encouraging sign.
'The fact that you came off vacation for me, that lets me know you're trying to get things started a little early,' Johnson told Smith. 'And I appreciate that. Trying to preheat the oven, I like that. It's gonna be a great season.'
Johnson, who has previously appeared on 'First Take,' joined the program Wednesday to promote EA Sports and popular video game 'Madden NFL 26'.
His appearance came just hours before ESPN officially parted ways with Sharpe, who made regular guest appearances on 'First Take.' The former tight end had been off the air since late April due to the sexual assault lawsuit filed against him by a Jane Doe.
The former NFL star was hit with a bombshell $50million lawsuit back in April after a woman, identified as one of his ex-girlfriends, accused him of raping her on two occasions over the course of their relationship.
Sharpe, who denied the allegations, vowed to return to ESPN later in the year once he had proved his innocence.
Yet just weeks after the accuser reached a settlement and retracted the allegations, it was revealed on Wednesday that he has been fired by ESPN after almost two years.
ESPN cut ties with Sharpe after the NFL legend settled a $50 million rape lawsuit
The Athletic's Andrew Marchand was the first to report ESPN's decision, which was later confirmed by Daily Mail.
Sharpe addressed his shock departure later in the evening, saying at the start of his 'Nightcap' podcast: 'Obviously, I'm sure everybody's heard the news by now that I will not be returning to ESPN.
'I found out this information a little earlier in the week, and really the only thing that I really asked is, "Guys, could we wait until Monday? My brother's going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, I really want it to be about him and I want it to be about my family."
'I said, "This coming out will overshadow everything he's worked his entire life for." And unfortunately it didn't happen that way.'
Sharpe spent close to two years with the network after joining popular sports talk show 'First Take' in August 2023. He had departed Fox Sports program 'Undisputed' two months prior.
Asked by Daily Mail if the decision was impacted by the lawsuit or the settlement, an ESPN spokesperson declined to comment. Stephen A. Smith, the network's biggest star and a First Take co-host, previously stated his belief in Sharpe's innocence.
Details of Sharpe's settlement with his accuser have not been revealed publicly.
He was first accused of raping the Plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, in October of 2024, before allegedly doing so again in January after arriving at her home with promises of Christmas and birthday gifts, according to her original complaint.
Shannon Sharpe and Big Boi attend ESPN First Take at Clark Atlanta University on November 8
After filing the lawsuit, Buzbee produced audio of Sharpe seemingly threatening the Plaintiff.
'… I'm gonna f***ing choke the s*** out of you when I see you,' the 56-year-old Sharpe is heard telling the woman.
Sharpe's attorney at the time claimed his client was speaking 'in the heat of the moment' and the violent threat was 'not intended.'
Furthermore, Buzbee alleged that Sharpe offered Doe a 'hefty sum' to settle the case in February, only for the plaintiff to decline the payoff. Five months later an agreement was then reached.
'After protracted and respectful negotiations, I'm pleased to announce that we have reached a mutually agreed upon resolution,' Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee, who represented the accuser, said earlier this month.
'All matters have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed. The lawsuit will thus be dismissed with prejudice.'
A spokesperson for Sharpe's legal team declined comment to Daily Mail at the time, explaining that Buzbee's statement would be the final word on the matter.
