Don’t expect to see Pat McAfee on WWE anytime soon.
In response to a question from a fan on Instagram, McAfee seemed down on his chances of returning to WWE, where he primarily worked as a color commentator and occasionally wrestled.
“I don’t think you ever say never, especially with the WWE. But right now, it does not feel like something that’s supposed to happen. It feels like that business has kind of passed me by a little bit,” McAfee said in a video on his Instagram Story. “Grew up loving it, dreamed of working it, feel honored that I had the opportunity to work alongside the GOAT Michael Cole, but I feel like the biz is in a good spot without me. I’ll continue to watch.”
“It feels like that business has kind of passed me by a little bit … I feel like the biz is in a good spot without me.”
Pat McAfee says he doesn’t expect to return to his role as WWE commentator any time soon pic.twitter.com/dQrbaeEzaV
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 9, 2026
McAfee, the NFL punter-turned-ESPN personality, previously participated in events like WrestleMania and the Royal Rumble. His last appearance came in September at Wrestlepalooza in Indianapolis, WWE’s first-ever premium live event on ESPN.
Despite his status in the ring in doubt, McAfee has continued to invite various WWE stars to his eponymous ESPN show, and he’ll likely have more coverage as WrestleMania 42 approaches on April 18.
McAfee has been busy in other areas lately as well.
For one, he sat down with Team USA players ahead of the World Baseball Classic, including Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper. He even took live at-bats from retired Dodgers southpaw Clayton Kershaw, who’s going for one last hurrah with Team USA.
Before that, he provided similar coverage of the Winter Olympics, bringing on Team USA stars like Jack Hughes and Megan Keller, who delivered the game-winning goals for the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams, respectively.
McAfee notably asked Keller if the women’s squad “hated the men’s team” after drama in the postgame locker room, which Keller immediately shot down.
The news regarding WWE elicited mixed responses.
“Awesome news. He’s terrible in almost everything he’s in. About the only thing he was good at was when he was with barstool. He should go back. Get him off ESPN. We are tired of the middle aged frat bro schtick,” one commenter wrote.
“I do miss Pat in WWE. Hope we can see an appearance from him down the line,” another added.
“Wrestling fans are shedding zero tears about this,” a third commented.
Despite McAfee’s recent notoriety, it’s clear one avenue of his career is likely closed.
