Molly Qerim is officially out at First Take — and ESPN already has a game plan for what comes next.

The longtime host, 41, stunned fans this week when she announced she was leaving the daily debate show after more than a decade. Her exit, which was first leaked online, was later confirmed in a post to social media.

ESPN president of content Burke Magnus told The Athletic that Qerim’s departure wasn’t a total shock behind the scenes. “While we knew we were going to make a change — her deal ran through the end of the year — we were more focused on that timeline,” he said.

According to Magnus, the network will spend the next month (and possibly longer) testing out in-house talent to see who clicks with the show’s fast-paced format. “So we’re going to take probably about 30 to 45 days to try a variety of in-house people because we can do that on the show. Then we’ll make a decision shortly after that.”

Magnus added that even if Qerim had signed a new contract, she would have still been off First Take by the end of the year, calling her exit a matter of “contract negotiations falling apart.”

For now, Stephen A. Smith is pulling double duty as the show’s temporary host while ESPN sorts out the future. And while an external hire isn’t entirely off the table, Magnus hinted that the next full-time face of First Take is likely already on ESPN’s roster.

Names in the mix include Shae Cornette, Christine Williamson, Courtney Cronin, and Monica McNutt — all of whom are considered strong internal candidates.

As for Qerim? It’s unclear if she’ll return to ESPN in any capacity before her contract officially expires this summer.