Jarrett Payton, son of Chicago Bears legend Walter Payton, has marked his first month as co-host of the morning show on 104.3 The Score with a notable transition from television sportscaster to radio personality. Payton, 45, began the role on August 31, stepping into the position alongside former Tribune sportswriter David Haugh after the longtime host Mike Mulligan was unexpectedly dismissed.

Payton’s move to The Score followed his departure from WGN-Ch. 9, where he spent over a decade as a sports anchor before leaving in early August with an emotional farewell, citing a desire to dedicate more time to his family. The decision to join The Score came quickly and was not part of a prearranged plan, Payton said, acknowledging the challenges that came with the sudden change, including adjusting to a new schedule that requires waking up at 3 a.m. each day.

“Having to wake up at 3 a.m. was a big adjustment — after a decade of going to bed around 1 a.m.,” Payton remarked, noting that he has adopted tactics such as daytime naps to manage the altered routine. Despite the early hours, Payton described the experience positively, saying, “I’m having a blast. It is the coolest thing going to work every single day.”

The new morning show, titled “Haugh & Payton,” replaced the long-running “Mully & Haugh,” quickly becoming a platform for sports discussions in Chicago. Payton has found ample topics, including the start of the NFL season, the Chicago Bears’ post-season prospects following their first playoff win in 15 years, and the rare occurrence of both the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox making playoff runs simultaneously.

A poignant moment during Payton’s early broadcasts came with the death of former Bears running back Matt Suhey, who Payton described as a “father figure” following the death of his own father in 1999. He spoke publicly about Suhey’s significant role in his family’s life, a side of Suhey that was less known to the public.

In addition to the professional shift, Payton highlighted the personal benefits of his radio role, noting that it has allowed him to spend more quality time with his family than he had in the preceding decade. He now regularly attends his son Jaden’s high school football practices and enjoys dinner with his children, including his 10-year-old daughter, Madison.

Prior to this current role, Payton had previous radio experience in 2014 as an afternoon co-host on The Game, WGN Radio’s brief foray into an FM sports talk station. Both Payton and Haugh began their radio careers at that station, which operated for only nine months before its closure.

As “Haugh & Payton” continues to develop, Payton emphasized his intention to bring his authentic self to the program and contribute to shaping the morning sports conversation in Chicago. “It’s a big deal,” he said. “You’re setting the table for the sports conversation for the rest of the day.”