Chris Berman stepping down as face of ESPN's NFL coverage

ESPN NFL broadcaster Chris Berman will transition to a new role with the company and leave his longtime position as host of "Sunday NFL Countdown" and face of the network's NFL coverage, ESPN announced Thursday:

Berman will make appearances on-air and will also serve in public-facing roles on behalf of the company, stepping away from his longtime position as the face of ESPN's NFL studio coverage, NFL Draft, and Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby.

Berman will continue to host ESPN's "NFL PrimeTime" highlights show from the field after the Super Bowl as well as the NFL Conference Championship games. He will also offer opinion and perspective on historical events in the NFL, including still appearing weekly on "Monday Night Countdown." In addition, he will handle play-by-play for ESPN Radio during the MLB Divisional Playoffs and participate in ESPN's annual ESPYS Awards.

This NFL season was Berman's 31st straight as host of "Sunday NFL Countdown."