It sounds like Ray Lewis won't be out of work for long.
Citing multiple sources, SI.com's Richard Deitsch reported Thursday that the soon-to-be-retired Baltimore Ravens linebacker is close to signing a multiyear contract with ESPN.
No formal announcement is expected until after the Ravens' season ends, but Lewis is anticipated to play a major role in the network's "Monday Night Countdown" program, along with work for ESPN Radio.
ESPN declined comment to SI.com, but multiple sources told Deitsch that Lewis and his representatives used this season to meet with a host of NFL broadcast networks.
Lewis isn't everyone's cup of tea, but he makes for good television and looms as an easy sell to contemporary football audiences. Translating the game on the field to viewers hasn't always been easy for former players -- even the best of them -- but let's be honest: The role calls for a big personality before anything else. Lewis has that down cold.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
