Exclusive look at ESPN's Monday Night Football production as Bears take on Eagles

With two marquee teams meeting at Soldier Field and ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” showcasing the matchup, the network’s production crew prepared for every possible storyline – including uncertainty at quarterback for the Chicago Bears.

An ESPN crew of about 200 workers travels from city to city each week to produce the broadcast, led by director Artie Kempner. He described the operation as something akin to a traveling circus, with extensive planning required before every game.

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“I think NFL football is probably the greatest vehicle for television viewing that there is because you have that break of 24-35 seconds in between plays where we can make decisions on replays and graphics and talk about certain players,” Kempner said.

The Bears’ decision to use veteran third-string quarterback Case Keenum has added another layer of preparation for the crew. Kempner said broadcasters must be ready regardless of who takes the field.

“Not knowing who the quarterback is can be very difficult but we’re ready whether or not case Keenum starts or Tyson Bagent starts if Caleb Williams is on the sideline, we’re going to make that part of our story,” Kempner said.

The same crew also is scheduled to broadcast this year’s Super Bowl on ABC and ESPN. Kempner said the standards and preparation required for “Monday Night Football” mirror those of the NFL’s championship game.

“You are preparing for a Super Bowl every week at Monday night football we have enough equipment to do a Super Bowl today but each week we have to be very careful and plan what we do and how we do it,” he said.

Producing a national broadcast requires coordination from pregame coverage through postgame programming. Among those on site was NFL analyst and Chicago native Kyle Brandt, who reflected on the opportunity to work at Soldier Field.

“It’s awesome dreamlike, and I’m really fortunate to be here. I grew up a Bears fan I used to have Walter Payton pajamas. I was Jim McMahon for Halloween. To be standing here at Soldier Field before prime time is really cool,” Brandt said.

As football coverage evolves alongside the growth of sports betting and fantasy football, Kempner said the fundamentals of the broadcast remain unchanged.

“I don’t change anything I do with fantasy or gambling. We are covering a football game. I know the fans are looking at things differently and we’re covering that game we’re putting up stats we’re showing those replays for us things do not change at all,” Kempner said.

Advances in technology have increased expectations for broadcasts to provide viewers with every available angle and explanation. Kempner said that responsibility extends beyond serving the league and includes helping viewers understand what happens on the field.

“We do have a responsibility to the viewer not just to the league but to the viewer to show them how and why something works and to show them what didn’t happen or why it didn’t happen the right way and that’s why we have the great booth of Troy and Joe to talk through it,” Kempner said.

For ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” crew, that preparation means being ready to tell whatever story unfolds under the lights at Soldier Field.