When Hoda Kotb made the unexpected announcement that she's stepping down from 'Today,' it sent shockwaves through the NBC family and viewers alike. The beloved co-anchor, who has been a cornerstone of the show for 17 years, revealed her decision in an emotional farewell episode. Now, the big question on everyone's mind is: Who will step into Hoda's massive shoes at the anchor desk in early 2025?

Who’s in the Running to Replace Hoda?

According to an NBC insider speaking to Us Weekly, one name keeps coming up in the conversation: Laura Jarrett. The 40-year-old Weekend Today anchor has quickly risen through the ranks at NBC and is being touted as the leading contender for the role. "The big contender who everyone at the network is talking about is Laura Jarrett — she has a really strong chance," the insider revealed. "She’s the anchor of Weekend Today, and like Hoda’s co-anchor, Savannah Guthrie, Laura is a lawyer by training. She’s a rising star at the Today show who’s made a name for herself in just a few years."

While NBC hasn’t officially announced Hoda’s successor, speculation is running rampant. Laura Jarrett, who joined the Today team in 2023, has already filled in for Hoda and other weekday cohosts multiple times, proving her versatility and ability to handle the high-pressure demands of the morning show. But the question remains: Will NBC promote from within or bring in someone new?

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Could the Replacement Come from Within?

Another possibility being floated is reassigning current anchors to fill the void left by Hoda. "The other option is they could move around anchors," the insider explained. "They could put Craig Melvin with Savannah, or they could put [third hour Today cohost] Sheinelle Jones with Savannah." Both Craig and Sheinelle are well-liked and respected members of the Today team, but neither has the same legal background that Hoda and Laura share, which some insiders believe could be a key factor in the decision-making process.

Big Shoes to Fill

Whoever takes over for Hoda will have their work cut out for them. Over the past 17 years, Hoda has become a household name, coanchoring the early morning hours with Savannah Guthrie and hosting Today With Hoda & Jenna since 2019 alongside Jenna Bush Hager. In her emotional exit interview, Hoda opened up about why she’s stepping away. "I realized that it was time for me to turn the page at 60, and to try something new," she shared. "I remembered standing outside looking at these beautiful bunch of people with these gorgeous signs, and I thought, 'This is what the top of the wave feels like for me.' And I thought it can’t get better, and I decided that this is the right time for me to kind of move on."

Laura Jarrett Is 'Big Contender' to Replace Hoda Kotb on Today — Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Hoda also expressed her excitement about spending more quality time with her two daughters, Haley and Hope, whom she shares with her ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman. "Obviously I had my kiddos late in life, and I was thinking that they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie that I have," she tearfully explained. "I feel like we only have a finite amount of time. And so, with all that being said, this is the hardest thing in the world."

Hoda’s colleagues on Today were visibly moved by her announcement. Dylan Dreyer, who has filled in for various anchors in the past, weighed in on the potential replacement. "I don’t think if they named anyone in our core group of people it would be surprising," Dylan, 43, told E! News. "We’ve all filled in along the way when somebody’s out. I don’t know if anybody’s made any decisions yet, but if it’s one of the core group, I really don’t think it’s that surprising." When asked if she was hoping to take over Hoda’s position, Dylan joked, "Everybody knows I’m trying to get Al Roker to retire, let’s be honest."