Savannah Guthrie has sparked speculation about her future on NBC’s Today show after making comments that many interpreted as a hint at her departure. 

This follows the surprising announcement from her co-anchor, Hoda Kotb, that she would be leaving the program.

During the Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Gala, Guthrie spoke with US Weekly about Kotb’s decision to step away from the show. 

She shared, “We’re dear friends and we have a lot of similarities.” 

She further elaborated, “We’re basically in the same phase of life,” a remark that has led many to wonder if she is also considering moving on from the morning show.

Kotb’s announcement in September shocked audiences, as she revealed that turning 60 was a defining moment that encouraged her to explore new opportunities. 

After spending 17 years as a key figure on the program, she decided it was time to embark on a different path.

NBC’s Efforts to Retain Guthrie

In light of Kotb’s departure, Today show producers are reportedly eager to retain Guthrie to maintain stability on the program. According to sources who spoke with DailyMail.com, network executives are actively working to convince her to stay, as they want to avoid making too many changes at once. “Savannah’s contract is up next year, and they are doing everything they can to ensure she remains with the show,” the insider revealed.

Guthrie, who initially signed a contract worth $7 million per year, saw her salary increase to $8 million and later to an undisclosed figure after her well-received moderation of a town hall with then-President Donald Trump in 2020.

Who Will Replace Hoda Kotb?

With Kotb stepping away, speculation has intensified regarding who will take her place alongside Guthrie. Reports suggest that Today executives are looking internally for her successor rather than hiring an external figure. “The replacement will come from those already on the show rather than bringing in an outsider and paying them a substantial sum,” a source disclosed.

Among the top contenders for the position are Today show anchors Craig Melvin and Laura Jarrett. Melvin, 45, joined MSNBC as a daytime anchor in 2011 and began co-hosting Today’s Third Hour in 2018. Jarrett, 40, formerly worked at CNN, where she co-hosted Early Start before joining NBC in 2022. She gained recognition for her coverage of high-profile legal cases, including former President Donald Trump’s conviction for falsifying business records in May.

According to sources, NBC executives plan to monitor audience reception before making a final decision on Kotb’s replacement. “The audience will ultimately determine who takes over,” the insider explained. Other Today contributors, such as Sheinelle Jones, are reportedly interested in the position, but for now, Melvin and Jarrett are leading the race.

Changes to Today with Hoda & Jenna

Kotb’s departure also leaves an opening on her other segment, Today with Hoda & Jenna, which she co-hosted with Jenna Bush Hager. Insiders suggest that the network is considering a rotating lineup of guest co-hosts until a permanent replacement is determined. “Jenna’s co-host could be anyone at this point,” a source revealed. “They’re going to see what works best over time.”

Kotb’s Emotional Farewell

Kotb’s decision to leave Today was reportedly influenced by her personal life, particularly her role as a mother to her two young daughters. Additionally, some reports indicate that she struggled to recreate the same chemistry with Bush Hager that she previously shared with former co-host Kathie Lee Gifford.

In a heartfelt letter to her colleagues, Kotb expressed her mixed emotions about leaving. “As I write this, my heart is all over the map. I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one,” she wrote. “They say two things can be right at the same time, and I’m feeling that so deeply right now. I love you, and it’s time for me to leave the show.”

She reflected on her long tenure at NBC, calling it the “longest professional love affair of my life.” She spent 26 years at the network, including ten at Dateline and sixteen as a host on Today. She also paid a touching tribute to Bush Hager, calling her a “ride-or-die” friend and noting that she would “desperately miss” the team she had worked with for so many years.

NBC Braces for More Change

With Kotb officially stepping away and speculation surrounding Guthrie’s potential departure, Today faces a period of transition. Insiders suggest that NBC is proceeding cautiously to ensure the right decisions are made for the program’s future. “Producers are keen to avoid losing another major figure,” a source shared, highlighting that Guthrie’s contract renewal discussions will be closely watched.

As the show moves forward, viewers can expect shifts in its lineup, but NBC remains committed to keeping Today a staple of morning television. Whether Guthrie will stay or follow Kotb’s lead remains uncertain, but one thing is clear—Today is entering a new era.

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