Molly Qerim Leaving First Take At the End of 2025 Has Fans in Disbelief – “Finally Leaving Stephen A. Smith”

Molly Qerim has been the host of First Take alongside lead analyst Stephen A. Smith for the past 10 years on ESPN.

Molly Qerim Leaving First Take At the End of 2025 Has Fans in Disbelief – “Finally Leaving Stephen A. Smith”

Molly Qerim will leave First Take (Image via FirstSportz)

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Stephen A. Smith has helmed First Take to become the No. 1 sports debate show for quite some time now. One person who was beside him all the way was co-host and presenter Molly Qerim.

Over the years, the show has hosted many major analysts, including Skip Bayless, Max Kellerman, Shannon Sharpe, and others, as it surged to the top.

Even though she was not an analyst, Qerim has become a popular figure as fans have become accustomed to her ability to keep those mercurial guests in check.

She has handled some extreme situations, such as when LaVar Ball allegedly made an inappropriate comment. The father of three basket ballers was then banned from appearing on ESPN.

Then there were incidents when she had to calm both Stephen A. and Kellerman down when their debate threatened to go off the rails. At other times, she kept Shannon Sharpe at arm’s length when he allegedly tried to become too friendly.

Ahead of the new sports season, Smith was awarded a major $100 million contract option. Molly Qerim was also awarded an extension, but it seems she declined to sign.

Sources tell SBJ that ESPN offered Qerim a contract, but she chose to move on.

Austin Karp of Sports Business Journal revealed

The article reveals that this decision means the 41-year-old would leave First Take and ESPN at the end of this year. It is unclear what she will do going forward, but this decision brings down a nearly 20-year career with the network.

Molly Qerim’s exit from ESPN leaves fans in a frenzy

Sports fans may have a lot of opinions about First Take and how it covers various disciplines. Some do not like the way the show constantly paints superstar LeBron James as someone who is beneath Michael Jordan in the NBA’s GOAT race.

Then there are other times when the show’s debates tend to move more towards optics rather than true opinions. However, in all those times, fans knew that Molly Qerim was there to keep the balance in check.

Now, fans are wondering what the impact of her decision would be. Many wondered what she would do next, while others believe she is running away from Stephen A. Smith’s shadow after witnessing how the show has turned to completely focus on him.

Fans feel that the Connecticut native is tired of the narratives and now wants to live and possibly work in peace. Check out examples of those reactions below:

Molly Qerim would leave the show after helming it for 10 years. Even though she has had differences of opinion with Stephen A. Smith or other guests, she has maintained a good relationship with them.

ESPN’s options to replace Molly Qerim are thin

Over the past few months, the scandal involving Shannon Sharpe and Marcus Morris Sr. has seen ESPN take a cautious approach to talent management. When replacing Molly Qerim, they will probably keep that same focus.

Molly Qerim with Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A. Smith on First Take
Molly Qerim with Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A. Smith on First Take (Image via DJHoops/X)

When she was away on vacation, they brought in Monica McNutt to lead one episode. It turned out to be a disaster after she incorrectly identified a jersey worn by comedian Druski.

Since that audition failed, the network will probably continue with McNutt in her basketball analyst role. Then there are Shae Cornett, Elle Duncan, and Courtney Cronin, who have filled in whenever the network needs a replacement.

Cornett is again based out of Connecticut, and Cronin is ESPN Chicago’s lead host and NFL reporter. That leaves Duncan as a possible host who can switch over to host First Take.

There could be others, but the network has to ensure that it is someone who has a good working relationship with host Stephen A. Smith, or else the show can lead to a disaster.

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