What Drove Pat McAfee to Step Away from WWE

Pat McAfee has opened up about his recent decision to step away from WWE’s Monday Night Raw commentary team. In a heartfelt conversation on The Pat McAfee Show, the former NFL star and media powerhouse explained that his departure was not about creative differences or scheduling conflicts. It was about something much deeper: mental exhaustion.

McAfee admitted he had reached a point of burnout. Speaking candidly, he recalled a moment during WWE’s Money in the Bank event where everything hit him at once. He described feeling mentally foggy, drained and disconnected. That was when he realized he had reached his limit. For someone known for his boundless energy and charismatic presence, the confession was both surprising and deeply human. He said that he had talked to others who had gone through similar experiences and that he finally understood what it meant to truly be mentally exhausted.

Leading up to his decision, McAfee’s travel schedule had become relentless. He detailed the chaos of recent weeks that took him to Dublin, then to Los Angeles for a project with TST, followed by a trip to Parris Island, and finally back to LA for WWE’s premium live event. These constant trips, paired with the intensity he brought to every show, began to wear him down. He stressed that despite what some fans might think, he was always trying to give everything he had during his commentary segments. It was never about going through the motions.

But the long nights and early mornings started to take a toll, especially once he factored in his family life. Arriving home at two or three in the morning and then launching straight into the workweek became unsustainable. McAfee also emphasized the emotional weight of wanting to be more present for his daughter. He said that being with her daily had become a priority, and the demanding WWE travel schedule was no longer compatible with that desire.

Despite the abrupt nature of his exit, McAfee had nothing but praise for WWE. He described the company as incredibly understanding and supportive. According to him, WWE recognized the toll that constant travel can have on mental health and did not pressure him to continue. He expressed genuine gratitude for how the organization handled his decision and reaffirmed his love and respect for WWE as a whole.

McAfee also credited his commentary partners, Corey Graves and Wade Barrett, for making the transition easier. He acknowledged their talent and professionalism and said that knowing the announce desk was in good hands helped him feel less guilty about stepping away. In his words, the show would go on, and it was important for him to recognize when it was time to recharge.

Looking ahead, McAfee admitted that one of the main reasons he chose this moment to pause was the fast-approaching college football season. Between his daily talk show and his role on ESPN’s College GameDay, he knew that pushing through at the same pace would have left him physically and mentally unprepared. He said bluntly that he didn’t think he would have made it through the season if he had kept going the way he was.

Although he is no longer on Raw, McAfee remains under contract with WWE. Corey Graves has since returned to the Raw announce team alongside Michael Cole in a permanent role. As for McAfee, his focus now shifts to his media ventures and football coverage, though he made it clear that WWE remains close to his heart.