ESPN analyst and former punter Pat McAfee has announced he will not broadcast his show live from the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay. The two-time Pro Bowler cited a lack of respect and logistical issues at the NFL Combine as the reasons behind his decision not to travel to the Draft.
Pat McAfee Frustrated With ‘Middle Management’ in NFL
McAfee announced on the latest episode of his show that he and his crew wouldn’t travel to Green Bay for the NFL Draft after a frustrating experience at the Combine last month. However, he confirmed that the “Draft Spectacular” show would still air live from its Thunderdome headquarters in Indianapolis.
“The NFL’s making it very easy for us to do stuff,” McAfee said sarcastically.
“It’s really very kind of them. It’s very cool. I’m very appreciative of the opportunity to showcase your s***.”
We were invited by the NFL to the combine..
Just had to make sure there was enough space in the stadium 😂😂
We will be doing the Draft Spectacular LIVE from the ThunderDome this year #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/qLVuUY36Il
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 3, 2025
While McAfee didn’t name anyone directly, he took shots at middle management in his usual sarcastic tone.
“No, middle management’s doing exactly what they don’t normally do. They’re making it easy. It’s awesome. Those people matter for sure. You guys are really good at your jobs! Thank God they’re there. Without them, could you imagine? Nobody would watch the NFL if it wasn’t for these people being there.”
However, McAfee later clarified the situation when Front Office Sports quoted the 2014 first-team All-Pro as saying he received “insufficient respect” from middle managers.
“I don’t think I’ve ever said insufficient respect in my life. Now, was there a lack of respect? For sure. For sure. The Combine and the Draft, two different events.”
The 37-year-old explained that multiple factors led to his decision to skip the NFL Draft, including how the league planned to accommodate his show.
“Draft was the same thing, because, like, where they wanted to put us, allegedly, how it was going to go, what we’re going to have to do—just like flexing power while also showcasing disdain for me and my show and my guys.
“So we said, we’re not going to the Draft, but it wasn’t directly because of the insufficient respect from the Combine. But it is a lack of it on a regular basis from one group of people, just making life harder on everybody.”
The wording in this tweet by @FOS.. here’s my view on it https://t.co/CKqHnNllZj pic.twitter.com/zC6h76rgsg
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 6, 2025
Despite the recent friction with middle management, it’s worth noting that McAfee has generally had a good relationship with the league. He even joined NFL Network’s Sunday GameDay Morning pregame show as an analyst last September.