Ryan Seacrest Will Join NBC Olympic Team, May Eventually Steal Matt Lauer’s Job

Ryan Seacrest will be heading to London to cover the Olympics with NBC. The host of “American Idol” told Matt Lauer on “Today” that he’s slowly taking on more responsibilities at NBC and may eventually take over the morning show.

Rumors have been floating around that Seacrest would replace Lauer on “Today” once the hosts’ contract is up, but Seacrest said that he’s happy where is for the moment.

Lauer asked: “What kind of conversations have you had with NBC about joining the ‘Today’ show?”

Seacrest jokingly responded: “Oh, they haven’t told you?”

The “American Idol” host said that the question isn’t whether or not he wants the job, it’s more about when Matt Lauer will call it quits. Seacrest said:

“I see you doing this for as long as you want to. Maybe the question is how long will you be on the ‘Today’ show.”

Lauer didn’t say when he would be leaving “Today” but did say that Seacrest would make a great replacement when he chooses to leave. Lauer said:

“Can I say something? I think you’d be great at this job… We have talked about this, joked about this. There is no tension here.”

Reuters reports that Seacrest’s contract with “American Idol” expires at the end of this season. Seacrest said, however, that he plans on staying with the show and expects “an official announcement very soon.”