Shannon Sharpe teases return as new 'Undisputed' rotation takes shape

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The countdown to Shannon Sharpe’s anticipated return to television is on.

The Hall of Famer, who left his co-host seat on FS1’s “Undisputed” in June, teased what appeared to be a timeline of his return, telling a fan Monday on Twitter that he’ll “be back” before the NFL season kicks off.

Following a wave of breaking news Monday — including Sixers star James Harden calling the team exec Daryl Morey, a “liar”; Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco being investigated over allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a minor; and ex-Cowboy Ezekiel Elliott signing with the Patriots — one fan tweeted that Sharpe should’ve been on the airwaves.

“This is a day where Shannon Sharpe would be on fire with everything goin on in the sports world!” the user wrote, adding, “We miss you!”

Sharpe responded: “I’ll be back b4 NFL kicks off. Do miss talking about things that’s happened in the last month tho. Appreciate the patience and support.”

The 2023 NFL season opens Thursday, Sept. 7, with the Chiefs hosting the Lions.

It’s unclear where the 54-year-old Sharpe will take his talents following his seven-year run debating Skip Bayless on “Undisputed.”

In a separate reply, Sharpe agreed with someone who said they haven’t watched any sports talk shows because they were “boycotting it all” until his return.

“You know my work,” Sharpe wrote in response to another user who said there is a lack of analysis in the sports talk show space.

“I played and respect the game and players 2 much 2 be reckless with my commentary. I spent at least 4-5 hrs of prep time preparing 4 a 2.5 hr show,” Sharpe tweeted.

Sharpe also shared a cryptic message Sunday on Instagram, telling his 2.7 million followers to “pay attention” to what’s next.

“Unc is telling all of you 2 pay attention because the REVOLUTION will be televised,” he wrote, including a video of him lifting weights in the gym.

Although Sharpe has played coy about his next career move, the three-time Super Bowl champion has been recruited by a number of top broadcasters across ESPN, including “First Take” host Stephen A. Smith.

Sharpe flirted with the idea of joining ESPN as a rotating co-host on “First Take,” telling USA Today Sports last month it would be “great” to join forces with Smith — who previously co-hosted with Bayless on the show.

Smith addressed rumors about Sharpe last month and said “the talks are serious” about the free agent broadcaster joining “First Take.”

“I’m not going to tell you it’s true, but I’m not going to tell you it’s not,” Smith said on his YouTube channel addressing the Sharpe rumors. “Yeah, the talks are serious. I want this brother on ‘First Take’… I want him to have a shinier light placed on him than a few of the times we last saw him.

“I want Shannon Sharpe on ‘First Take’ and I aim to get him … I’m hopeful. I’m very hopeful and very confident that ultimately we will be announcing sooner than later that he will be on ‘First Take.’”

Pat McAfee, whose $85 million deal with ESPN begins in the fall, also recruited Sharpe to the company. 

The Post first reported in May that Sharpe was leaving “Undisputed.”

Shortly after Sharpe’s FS1 exit in June, Front Office Sports reported he was in talks with FanDuel.

As for Bayless, he is readying for the return of “Undisputed” with some new faces.

Richard Sherman is joining the FS1 series and will spar with Bayless for around 50-100 shows per year, mostly during football season, The Post’s Andrew Marchand reported earlier this month.

Lil Wayne will also have a regular spot on “Undisputed,” in addition to Rachel Nichols.

“Undisputed” returns Aug. 28.

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