Who is Laura Rutledge? Meet ESPN’s new ‘Monday Night Football’ sideline star shaking up the broadcast game

This NFL season, ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” sidelines are getting a high-profile boost. Veteran host and reporter Laura Rutledge will join the network’s lead broadcast team as a permanent sideline reporter, working alongside longtime veteran Lisa Salters for all 20 games called by Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Salters.

The move cements Rutledge’s presence in ESPN’s most prestigious NFL property — one that will culminate in the network’s first-ever Super Bowl broadcast in February 2027.

ESPN names Laura Rutledge as lead ‘Monday Night Football’ sideline reporter in biggest career move yet

Laura Rutledge, who signed a contract extension earlier this year, is no stranger to NFL sidelines, but this marks her first full-time season with the No. 1 “MNF” crew. The 36-year-old will juggle this assignment with her weekday duties hosting NFL Live.

On Mondays, the show will now air directly from the game site, adding a live-event energy to the pregame coverage.

“Monday Night Football is the pinnacle and it’s always been a dream of mine,” Rutledge said. “I still get chills every time I hear the MNF music. Really excited to continue to work as hard as possible to earn this role.”Her promotion also comes with a milestone — she is expected to be on the sidelines when ESPN’s top crew calls Super Bowl LXI in 2027.

For Rutledge, who joined ESPN at 25, the journey has been both fast-paced and deeply rewarding. “This place has meant a lot to me. I’ve been here since I was 25, and I’m 35 now. It’s almost 10 years, and it has gone by in seemingly a blink of an eye,” she reflected.

ESPN deepens its sideline lineup

While Rutledge takes on her expanded role, Salters — entering her 14th season as ESPN’s lead NFL sideline reporter — has also secured a contract extension. The pairing brings together two respected journalists who have developed a strong mentor-mentee relationship.

“To even see my name next to Lisa Salters is an honor,” Rutledge shared in an earlier ESPN profile.The network has also bolstered its No. 2 “MNF” crew, adding Katie George and Peter Schrager to work alongside Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky, and Louis Riddick for select games, including four doubleheader weeks and the Week 18 Saturday split.For Rutledge, the upcoming season will demand balance between her live-event duties and her established studio presence. But with her career trajectory and passion for big-stage moments, it’s clear she’s stepping into exactly where she’s meant to be — in the heart of the NFL’s biggest games.Also Read: “Overhyped and overrated”: Josh Allen’s wife Hailee Steinfeld faces harsh criticism from Dave Portnoy