Saturday, September 19, 2026
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Manti Te’o Replacing Akbar Gbajabiamila on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football

Manti Te’o is officially joining NFL Network’s Good Morning Football after Akbar Gbajabiamila departed the program.

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NFL Network’s Good Morning Football continues to pivot. 

Former NFL linebacker Manti Te’o is replacing Akbar Gbajabiamila on NFL Network’s morning program, Front Office Sports has learned. An NFL Media spokesperson declined to comment. 

It is the second shakeup in recent months, as FOS first reported that Peter Schrager was leaving the show for a new role with ESPN

Te’o has regularly been appearing on GMFB since joining NFL Network last year and brings positive energy to the show. He was also a member of Netflix’s studio crew during the streaming service’s Christmas doubleheader. 

He had an eight-year NFL career with the Chargers, Saints, and Bears after starring at Notre Dame. 

At Notre Dame, Te’o was the victim of a catfishing hoax carried out by his friend Ronaiah Tuiasosopo, who created a false online persona of a woman named Lennay Kekua.  

Deadline first reported earlier this month that Gbajabiamila had exited the program. Gbajabiamila, a former NFL defensive end, had replaced Jason McCourty on GMFB last year. 

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