Scott Jennings, known for his incisive and fierce debate style on CNN, might soon find a new home at CBS News. This potential shift comes as CBS’s recently appointed editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, seeks to revamp the network. Just weeks into her new role, Weiss has already extended an invitation to Jennings, 48, to discuss opportunities at CBS’s New York City headquarters, as reported by Semafor.

In another intriguing development, Weiss, 41, has also reached out to Fox News anchor Bret Baier for discussions about possibly hosting the network’s leading program. This meeting occurred a week prior to her engagement with Jennings. However, a collaboration with Baier seems improbable due to his existing contract with Fox News, which ties him to their evening broadcast until 2028.

The backdrop to these potential changes is a period of uncertainty for CBS, with expected staff reductions looming as Paramount, CBS’s parent company, prepares to implement cuts in the coming days. Amidst this turbulence, long-time CBS co-anchor John Dickerson has announced his departure from the network. On Monday, Dickerson took to Instagram to share the news of his exit, stating, “At the end of this year, I will leave CBS, sixteen years after I first sat in as Face the Nation anchor. I am extremely grateful for the opportunities, the audience’s attention, and the honor of being part of the network’s history.” His heartfelt message underscored his appreciation for his colleagues and the personal growth he experienced during his tenure at CBS.

The 57-year-old began hosting the flagship broadcast alongside co-anchor Maurice DuBois just nine months earlier. Now, Dickerson’s possible replacement, Jennings, has been sought after not only by CBS but also by the Los Angeles Times, according to the New York Post. Jennings also served as a staffer for the George W. Bush administration and was an aide to Sen. Mitch McConnell.

Weiss, a former New York Times journalist who ran the anti-woke The Free Press news website, has been given a broad remit by the network’s new owner, David Ellison, to tame liberal excesses at the Tiffany Network in a bid to boost ratings and win back viewers’ trust. She quit her role as opinion editor at The New York Times in 2020 over the paper’s narrow liberal views and staff bullying of anyone who dared to voice a different opinion. Weiss began a small news site called Honestly, which later became The Free Press and was sold to Paramount, as part of a $150 million deal.

Problems at Evening News pre-date Weiss’s arrival by months and it is unclear if she is behind Dickerson’s apparent ouster. CBS Evening news is watched by around 3.6 million viewers nightly – a 14 percent slump compared to the same time last year. The news network’s president Tom Cibrowski sought to put a positive spin on Dickerson’s departure, saying he ‘epitomizes the very best in journalism.’

Cibrowski added: ‘We’ll have plenty of time to thank him for his work here and honor his contributions to our success.’ It is unclear if DuBois will host Evening News on his own after Dickerson departs. CBS Mornings star Gayle King is also believed to be in the firing line, with insiders say they expect her departure in the coming months.