ESPN's Laura Rutledge and the "Monday Night Football" crew were in the nation's capital this evening to cover a preseason showdown between the Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Commanders. It didn't take long for fans to compliment her performance and appearance.

"Monday Night Football" has served as the exclamation point to each week in the NFL since its inception on ABC in 1970. As appointment television has expanded to streaming and alternate telecasts, the popularity of playing under the Monday night lights remains strong.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt will make his debut this season for the Commanders, but he wants NFL fans to call him by his preferred name.

Place a $5 bet on tonight’s NFL preseason games and unlock $200 in bonus bets plus over $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket with this DraftKings promo code. Offer ends Sept. 29.

As per the flexible schedule moves: The NFL can flex an unlimited number of times for “Monday Night Football” between Weeks 12 and 17, and must give 12 days notice.

Katie George, known for her college football reporting on ESPN, is joining Monday Night Football for five games in 2025. Starting with ESPN's Week 2 d