The coffee is still hot, but the table looks a lot different than it did when the show first took over our mornings from a studio in New York. If you’ve tuned into NFL Network lately, you’ve probably noticed that the cast of Good Morning Football has undergone a massive transformation. It wasn't just a simple chair swap; it was a cross-country migration that fundamentally changed the vibe of the league's flagship morning show.
Honestly, the "GMFB" we see today is a survivor. When the news broke in early 2024 that the show was packing its bags for Los Angeles, fans were worried. Moving a hit show from the energetic concrete jungle of Manhattan to the sprawling sun-soaked studios of Inglewood felt risky. For many, the cast is the show. Without that specific chemistry, it’s just people talking about cover-two defense at 5 a.m. local time.
Who is on the current cast of Good Morning Football?
As of early 2026, the roster has settled into a new rhythm. While some faces are legendary staples, others have stepped in to fill the massive voids left by departures that rocked the fanbase.
The current daily lineup typically features:
- Jamie Erdahl: The "point guard" of the show. She made the move to LA and remains the steady hand at the head of the table.
- Kyle Brandt: The high-energy, "Angry Runs" creator who survived the transition and continues to bring the brand of chaos fans love.
- Manti Te'o: A relatively new addition who became a full-time fixture in 2025. He replaced Akbar Gbajabiamila and brought a surprisingly vulnerable, insightful perspective to the desk.
- Will Blackmon: The former Super Bowl champ officially joined the core roster for the 2025-2026 season as a full-time contributor.
- Sherree Burruss: The primary news lead who keeps the show grounded in reality when the segments get a little wild.
It's a different feel. You've got the veteran presence of Brandt mixed with the fresh, often emotional analysis of Te'o. But to understand how we got here, we have to talk about who isn't at the table anymore.
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The Departures: Why Peter Schrager and Others Left
The biggest shock to the system was undoubtedly the exit of Peter Schrager. For nearly a decade, "Schrags" was the heart of the show’s insider knowledge. He wasn't just a host; he was the guy who seemed to know every coach’s favorite pizza place.
But the move to Los Angeles changed the math. Schrager, an East Coast guy through and through, eventually decided to move on. In mid-2025, he joined ESPN, citing a desire to stay on the Atlantic side of the country and a feeling that he had given "everything he could" to the GMFB format. He didn't want to be "the man in the box"—a reference to the remote Zoom segments that became common during the transition period.
Then there was Akbar Gbajabiamila. He was brought in to help launch the LA era, but his tenure was surprisingly short, lasting less than a year. By early 2025, he had exited the program, paving the way for the Manti Te'o era. Even Jason McCourty, a fan favorite who brought a player's perspective to the post-Nate Burleson era, didn't make the long-term jump to the West Coast.
The "West Coast" Shift and What it Changed
When the show moved to Hollywood Park in Inglewood, it wasn't just the scenery that changed. Because the show still airs at 8 a.m. ET, the cast of Good Morning Football now has to be in the studio while most of California is still sound asleep. We’re talking 5 a.m. local starts.
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This logistical nightmare is part of why the cast feels more localized now. While Kyle Brandt still flies back and forth and maintains a massive presence, the show has leaned heavily into talent already based on the West Coast or those willing to make the permanent move.
The format also expanded. We now have GMFB: Overtime, a syndicated extension that allows the cast to stretch their legs beyond the strict two-hour window on NFL Network. This has allowed contributors like Ron Rivera, Michael Robinson, and Isaiah Stanback to rotate in, keeping the energy from flagging during the long season.
Manti Te’o and the New Energy
If you were skeptical about Manti Te’o joining the crew, you’re not alone. But honestly? He’s been a revelation. He doesn’t just talk about X’s and O’s; he talks about the mental toll of the game.
After his "untold" story became a massive cultural moment via Netflix, Te'o found a second act in media that most didn't see coming. He brings a level of sincerity that balances out Kyle Brandt's frantic energy. When the cast of Good Morning Football discusses a player's struggle or a team's collapse, Te'o often provides the most "human" take at the table.
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Why the Chemistry Still Works (Mostly)
The magic of this show was always that it felt like a group of friends who just happened to be obsessed with the NFL. It wasn't "stuffy" like some other morning programs. Even with the new faces, that "breakfast table" vibe persists.
- Varying Perspectives: You have the host (Erdahl), the "wildcard" (Brandt), the "soul" (Te'o), and the "tactician" (Blackmon).
- The "Insiders": Mike Garafolo, Tom Pelissero, and Ian Rapoport still pop in constantly. They are the glue that keeps the show connected to the actual league offices, even if they aren't sitting at the main table every morning.
- The Chaos Factor: "Angry Runs" and "Whiteboard Wednesday" survived the move. These segments force the cast to be performers, not just analysts.
Is the New Cast Better?
That's a loaded question. If you grew up on the original "core four" of Kay Adams, Nate Burleson, Peter Schrager, and Kyle Brandt, nothing will ever quite match that lightning-in-a-bottle chemistry. That group defined the show’s identity.
But the current iteration is more diverse in its football knowledge. Will Blackmon brings recent defensive secondary insights that the older versions of the show sometimes lacked. Jamie Erdahl has proven she can lead a table through any level of turnover.
Moving Forward with GMFB
If you’re looking to keep up with the cast of Good Morning Football, the best way is to catch the first hour of the show, where the "big" news breaks. The second hour and the Overtime segments tend to be more conversational and personality-driven.
Keep an eye on the guest host rotations during the offseason. The show often uses the spring and summer months to "audition" new contributors who might eventually become permanent fixtures. Whether you love the New York roots or the Los Angeles polish, the show remains the most essential way to start a football Sunday—or a random Tuesday in March.
The next step for any fan is to follow the individual cast members on social media; that's where the real "behind-the-scenes" drama of those 3 a.m. wake-up calls actually plays out. Check out Kyle Brandt's "10 Takes" podcast for a deeper dive into his specific brand of madness, or watch the syndicated blocks on your local Fox or ABC affiliate if you can't access NFL Network directly. High-level football talk is great, but seeing this group try to stay awake after three cups of coffee is where the real entertainment lives.