The Playmaker is in play.

Michael Irvin's contract is set to expire at the NFL Network before the start of the 2016 season, according to sources with knowledge of his contract, making him a free agent in the TV world.

The 50-year old Irvin flies by the seat of his pants on TV. His unpredictability made him a chancy hire early in his TV career.

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But now TV networks are looking for more debate and harder opinions from analysts. That could make the outspoken Irvin a sought-after free agent at a time when ESPN and NFL Network are revamping their on-air analyst lineups.

The Pro Football Hall of Famer is one of the top on-air talents at the league's 13-year old cable network, along with Rich Eisen, Deion Sanders, Marshall Faulk, Steve Mariucci and Mike Mayock.

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During NFL Sundays, the former Cowboys wide receiver appears on NFL Network's Sunday pregame show, "NFL GameDay Morning," along with Eisen, Faulk, Mariucci and Kurt Warner.

Then he helps wrap up the day's action on "NFL GameDay Final" with host Chris Rose, Sanders and Falk. Irvin has been with NFL Network since 2009.

During his NFL playing career with the Cowboys, Irvin, a five-time Pro Bowler, won three Super Bowl rings with fellow "triplets" Troy Aikman (now Fox Sports' lead NFL game analyst) and Emmitt Smith (who had a brief, disastrous run at ESPN). During his college career, he and future Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson helped lead the Miami Hurricanes to the 1987 National Championship.

The NFL Network wants to keep Irvin, sources said. But if talks stall, one natural landing spot could be ESPN, where he worked from 2003-2007.

ESPN has been overhauling its NFL analyst lineup this offseason.

In the latest development, the New York Daily News reported the well-respected Tom Jackson may leave ESPN after 28 years. It's been previously reported that Jackson's long-time on-air partner, Chris Berman, will leave ESPN after the 2016 NFL season.

Look for virtually all-new casts on "Sunday NFL Countdown" and "Monday Night Countdown" this season. Berman will still anchor. But analysts Mike Ditka, Cris Carter and Keyshawn Johnson are all gone. They'll be replaced in various roles by Randy Moss (who's jumping to ESPN from Fox), Charles Woodson, Matt Hasselbeck and Trent Dilfer.

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Tired of the back and forth travel to Bristol, Ditka will serve as a roving "SportsCenter" contributor from his homes in in Chicago and Florida.

The NFL Network, meanwhile, recently announced a new daily morning show, "Good Morning Football," premiering Monday, August 1 (7-10 a.m. ET). Hosted by Kay Adams, the show will feature a younger crew of analysts, including Nate Burleson, Peter Schrager and Kyle Brandt. It will be the first NFL Network show produced in New York City.

Jordan Levin, chief content officer of NFL Media said in a statement: "Good Morning Football will first and foremost be a morning show bringing viewers the NFL, sports, entertainment and news content they crave."