Pat McAfee was seemingly worried about some locker room talk Monday night.
Ahead of the Bills’ 23-6 road win over the Vikings on “Monday Night Football,” quarterback Josh Allen was making the rounds on the U.S. Bank Stadium field.
After spying the ESPN star and the “MNF” alt-cast host, Allen walked over to McAfee, who said at least seven times, “We’re live!”
“Good luck, bro,” he added as the four-time Pro Bowler walked away.
The controversial sports personality received heat from some fans for the awkward moment.
“Damn Pat really sucks now, what’s Josh Allen gonna do to your rep bud? Chill,” one X user posted.
“When you are live and a superstar walks up to you, you don’t do this? Isn’t this exactly what you wanted, while you’re alive you get an impromptu off the cuff, Josh Allen to just walk up? I’m a little shocked and surprised, what do you think??” another wrote.
A third said: “McAfee is an idiot. I’m thinking the director would love a pre game interview from Josh. The idiot sent him away. The worst cast on any pregame show here on ESPN.”
But some came to the defense of McAfee’s warning about the hot mics.
“He was actually protecting Josh Allen from potential hot mic situation but everyone hates Pat McAfee so it’s something else,” a fan posted.
“If you know what Josh Allen’s sense of humor is, you understand why McAfee had to warn him that they were live and the microphone was hot. He was about to have some locker room talk with Pat that was not safe for television. 😂😂” a second wrote.
“I actually have respect for Pat for making sure this was clear,” another added.
Last month, ESPN announced that “Monday Night FootballField Pass” would be teaming up with “The Pat McAfee Show” for six regular-season games this season, starting in Week 6 on ESPN2.
McAfee is on the field alongside Dan Orlovsky and Darius Butler, while Connor Campbell, Ty Schmit and Tone Digs are stationed in an in-stadium suite.
It’s the first time the show has expanded to being on scene at NFL games since its 2022 debut at the network.
Other McAfee-led alternative casts have been put on outside of the NFL, with many averaging over 1 million viewers.
ESPN also has added more options and platforms for fans to watch the Super Bowl this year, including “Super Bowl LXI Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show.”
The Bills’ win Monday improved their record to 7-1 — tied with the 49ers for best in the league.
Allen, 30, threw 234 yards for one touchdown to Keleki Latu and one interception, while James Cook III rushed in for another score.
They visit the Jets (2-7) next week, and the 6-2 Vikings move on to Green Bay (6-3).
