{"id":751038,"date":"2026-02-14T07:06:24","date_gmt":"2026-02-14T07:06:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/751038\/"},"modified":"2026-02-14T07:06:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-14T07:06:24","slug":"molly-qerim-had-some-issues-that-led-to-first-take-exit-stephen-a-smith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/751038\/","title":{"rendered":"Molly Qerim ‘had some issues’ that led to ‘First Take’ exit: Stephen A. Smith"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stephen A. Smith finally opened up about Molly Qerim\u2019s abrupt departure<\/a> from ESPN\u2019s \u201cFirst Take.\u201d<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, Smith appeared on \u201cThe White House with Michael Irvin<\/a>\u201d \u2014 a Netflix show with Irvin and fellow ex-NFLer Brandon Marshall \u2014 and explained what truly happened when Qerim resigned in September.<\/p>\n

Smith emphasized that the events had nothing to do with him. The decision came from higher up, even though he\u2019s the show\u2019s executive producer.<\/p>\n

All love for Molly Qerim on The White House pod<\/p>\n

Stephen A. Smith joins Michael Irvin and Brandon Marshall in a brand new episode of The White House with Michael Irvin, now on Netflix. pic.twitter.com\/GJHBSSzqi1<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Netflix Sports (@netflixsports) February 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cMolly decided that she wanted to leave, and she had some issues that I\u2019m not going to discuss,\u201d Smith said. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t with me, but she had some issues that was foremost on her mind and she made the decision to abruptly resign.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen [her departure] happened, it was incredibly unfortunate,\u201d Smith added. \u201cI can tell you that Molly and I worked together for 10 years \u2014 I loved Molly. I didn\u2019t want her to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"MollyMolly Qerim hosted \u201cFirst Take\u201d with Stephen A. Smith for 10 years before her resignation.<\/p>\n

As Smith mentioned, Qerim hosted \u201cFirst Take\u201d for 10 years before her shocking exit. <\/p>\n

After hosting it as usual on Sept. 15, she was gone the next day, and Smith began Sept. 16\u2019s edition by saying he \u201cwas not aware that this is something she was contemplating doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

While ESPN spent time auditioning potential replacements, ESPN president of content<\/a> Burke Magnus told The Athletic<\/a> \u201cwhile we knew we were going to make a change \u2014 her deal ran through the end of the year \u2014 we were more focused on that timeline.\u201d<\/p>\n

Magnus\u2019 comments alluded to the fact that the company had already decided to cut Qerim by the end of the year.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s unclear whether that directly led to her resignation in September, but Sports Business Journal reported<\/a> that she turned down ESPN\u2019s offer for a new contract.<\/p>\n

Eventually, ESPN replaced Qerim with Shae Cornette, who\u2019d been working at the company since 2019.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, Smith clarified that he thinks she\u2019s doing an \u201coutstanding job\u201d and that she\u2019s \u201cthe real deal,\u201d but he acknowledged that he misses Qerim.<\/p>\n

\"StephenStephen A. Smith has continued his time on \u201cFirst Take\u201d alongside new host Shae Cornette. Getty Images for SiriusXM<\/p>\n

Following her departure, Qerim posted a message on her Instagram story.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter much reflection, I\u2019ve decided it\u2019s time to close this incredible chapter and step away from First Take,\u201d Qerim wrote. \u201cHosting this show has been one of the greatest honors of my career. Every morning, I had the privilege of sharing the desk with some of the most brilliant, passionate, and entertaining voices in sports \u2014 and with all of you, the best fans in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Qerim has since began hosting Zuffa Boxing on Paramount+, leaving her ESPN career behind.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can complain until the cows come home, but somebody has to make the call,\u201d Smith said. \u201cAnd in the world of business, when you\u2019re not the one with the power, you have to respect the fact that those in power have a right to make those decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n

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