Matt Hasselbeck is getting ready to follow his brother, Tim, into a role in sports media.
Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead is reporting that Hasselbeck “is expected to join ESPN this week, where he’ll replace Mike Ditka on the network’s marquee football show, Sunday Countdown.”
“Hasselbeck, 40, started eight games for the Colts last season after Andrew Luck suffered a season-ending injury. Hasselbeck is an unrestricted free agent and privately has expressed a desire to play one more season. But he was deep in negotiations with ESPN Tuesday night to be the network’s 2nd big addition this offseason. It’s possible Hasselbeck’s announcement could come as early as tomorrow.”
While Hasselbeck has not officially retired as an NFL player yet, this news is certainly not surprising. He was relatively effective in 2015 while starting for the Colts, but also took a beating and dealt with serious rib injuries.
Hasselbeck was drafted in 1998, the same year as Peyton Manning. He was a backup with the Green Bay Packers until 2001 when he was traded to the Seattle Seahawks, where he remained until 2001.
The highlight of Hasselbeck’s career came in 2005, when he guided Seattle to the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance.