Report: Aikman-to-Manning handoff Fox's 'dream' broadcast scenario

While there has been no shortage of rumors regarding Peyton Manning and a potential venture into the broadcast booth, Fox is reportedly upping the ante when it comes to building an All-Star lineup.

According to a story Monday by the New York Post's Andrew Marchand, Fox's "dream" scenario would be to hire Manning and have current Fox color analyst Troy Aikman hand off to him to make Thursday Night Football a "prime-time event."

Fox and the NFL agreed in late January on a five-year deal that will have the network airing Thursday night games beginning this upcoming season. In an effort to make the Thursday games better stand out from the growing glut of NFL night games, Marchand said Fox wants Aikman to host a pregame show each week, which would then run directly into the game broadcast with Manning in the booth.

Aikman is already in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and Manning will certainly join him once eligible.

According to Marchand, Fox wants to hire the color analyst position (which would be Manning's role should he sign on) before selecting a play-by-play announcer for Thursday games.

Joe Buck would continue to partner with Aikman on Sunday games, but with Buck's MLB duties on Fox, he reportedly would not be given the Thursday night job.

--Field Level Media