It’s been quite a couple of weeks for Stephen A. Smith.

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After boasting about his affinity for French-speaking women on another uninspiring episode of First Take, he circled back with yet another unsolicited opinion—once again diving into one of sports media’s laziest debates: whether NASCAR drivers and golfers are “real” athletes.

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We all know where his “hot take” lands, and it’s hardly worth engaging.

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The lack of restraint isn’t surprising anymore. It’s on brand. It’s expected.

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His words don’t carry the weight they once did—and it’s frustrating to admit they ever did. The act has worn thin, even for loyal ESPN viewers, and the routine now feels entirely performative. The signs are obvious: a lack of preparation, a lack of attention, humor that rarely lands, and an on-air presence that, under most circumstances, wouldn’t be tolerated.

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There’s an undeniable fatigue around it all—viewers feel it, and you’d have to think ESPN does too, even if they’re not quite sure what to do with him.

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I don’t think it was ever ESPN’s intention to let volume outweigh substance, but that’s exactly where Stephen A. Smith has taken them. At some point, they had to make a choice—push back or lean in—and they’ve clearly chosen the latter.

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Make no mistake, ESPN will eventually move on. It’s just a matter of timing and opportunity. They might even get an easy out if he follows through on the presidential talk he’s already begun to flirt with.

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For now, though, Stephen A. will continue to dominate the ESPN airwaves, and his braggadocious clips and heated rants will keep circulating across social media.

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But over time, even the loudest voice loses its impact when there’s nothing new behind it.