Why Peyton, Eli Manning aren't on ESPN 'Monday Night Football' broadcast in Week 6

Madison Williams

Why Peyton, Eli Manning aren't on ESPN 'Monday Night Football' broadcast in Week 6 image

The Mannings will be absent for the third week in a row during Week 6's "Mnday Night Football" game featuring the Bills and Titans.

After Peyton and Eli Manning teamed up for the "Manning Cast" on ESPN2 for the first three weeks in the NFL season, the Manning brothers haven't broadcast their show since. It's part of a scheduled break baked into to deal with ESPN that calls for Peyton and Eli to be involved in 10 games during the 2021 NFL season. 

During the first three weeks, the Mannings had various guests pop on the show to discuss the games, such as Nick Saban, Pat McAfee and LeBron James, to name a few. 

Here's everything you need to know about why the Mannings won't be on ESPN2 and ESPN+ this week, and when they will be coming back on the air.

IYER: Why ESPN's Peyton and Eli Manning broadcast is only right way to watch 'MNF'

Why Peyton, Eli Manning aren't on 'Monday Night Football'

When the Manning brothers signed their deal with ESPN to host their Manningcast, they agreed to host 10 games this season, along with the next two NFL seasons. Since there are 17 Monday night games, the Mannings will miss seven of those matchups. 

The remainder of the season's schedule is almost fully to be determined in terms of when the Manning brothers will have a broadcast. Since they are missing three games already, there is only four left that they will miss for this season.

After the show's first week, the Manningcast saw a 132 percent increase of viewership for the second week, bringing in 1.86 million viewers on ESPN2 and ESPN+. 

When is the next Manning broadcast on ESPN?

The three week drought of no Manningcast will end in Week 7 when Peyton and Eli come back to ESPN2 for the Seahawks vs. Saints game on Oct. 25. The rest of their schedule to return is unknown at this time.

Fans won't stop seeing the Mannings after the regular season, though. On Wednesday, ESPN signed a five-year deal to showcase the Monday night wild-card game in January. Peyton and Eli will be on the broadcast team for this game on ESPN.  

MORE: Eli Manning hilariously recreates Dak Prescott's viral dance on 'MNF'

Monday Night Football schedule 2021

The Manningcast will return for seven more games this season, although six of those shows have not been announced yet.

WeekDateMatchup
Week 1Sept. 13Las Vegas Raiders vs. Baltimore Ravens
Week 2Sept. 20Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions
Week 3Sept. 27Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 4Oct. 4Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Week 5Oct. 11Baltimore Ravens vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 6Oct. 18Tennessee Titans vs. Buffalo Bills
Week 7Oct. 25Seattle Seahawks vs. New Orleans Saints
Week 8Nov. 1Kansas City Chiefs vs. New York Giants
Week 9Nov. 8Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Chicago Bears
Week 10Nov. 15San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams
Week 11Nov. 22Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New York Giants
Week 12Nov. 29Washington Football Team vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week 13Dec. 6Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots
Week 14Dec. 13Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams
Week 15Dec. 20Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week 16Dec. 27New Orleans Saints vs. Miami Dolphins
Week 17Jan. 3Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns

Madison Williams