NBC executives may be plotting to sideline Craig Melvin from the Today show's anchor desk so Savannah Guthrie can pair up with her 'rock' Hoda Kotb, according to an insider at the network.
A well-placed source told the Daily Mail that Guthrie's return to the show on April 6 following her mother Nancy's high-profile abduction in February has complicated the broadcast, leading to rumors of a plan to 'slowly push out' Melvin, 46.
'Everyone has rallied around Savannah, everyone respects that she's trying to be back at work while the case with her mom goes unsolved,' a source at NBC said.
The insider explained how staff have been 'respectful of not discussing her mom or asking her about it', with Executive Vice President of Today Libby Leist said to be doing 'whatever [she] can to make Savannah safe and comfortable.'
It is also understood that 54-year-old Guthrie's close bond with co-host Hoda Kotb, 61, has led producers to try and pair them up on the air, fueling rumors that executives feel it 'just doesn't work with [Melvin] anymore.'
'Hoda has been her rock,' our source said. 'They are actively trying to push out Craig and have him just anchor the third hour.
'Savannah and Hoda love each other dearly and Savannah feels really good with Hoda as co-anchor. She knows Hoda's not coming for her, not to mention ratings are up when it's Savannah and Hoda.'
'It just doesn't work with Craig anymore,' the network insider claimed.
The NBC insider said there are rumors that executives may look to 'slowly push [Melvin] out', while using Kotb 'more and more to fill in until they can't deny she rates better with Savannah.'
'Craig won't even know what happened,' the insider speculated. 'Just another day at Today.'
Another NBC insider refuted claims Melvin is being squeezed out, saying: 'Savannah and Craig are the Today show co-anchors, and that is not changing.'
Rumors over Melvin's status at NBC come after a source previously revealed to the Daily Mail that he was left 'absolutely devastated' by being passed over to interview Guthrie in her first tell-all interview about her missing mother last month.
Despite being a longtime anchor on the network, Melvin was said to have been upset by being sidelined in favor of Kotb to interview Guthrie about Nancy's disappearance.
Kotb got the gig despite quitting Today in January 2025 to spend more time with her family. She agreed to return in February to help cover during Guthrie's absence.
Sources said Melvin thought it was almost guaranteed that he would be the one to welcome Guthrie back on the air with an emotional interview about the unsolved case.
Melvin believed the moment would mark a major step forward in his career, but was completely blindsided when executives chose Kotb instead.
'Craig is absolutely devastated he didn't get that interview,' an insider told the Daily Mail at the time. 'He thought it was his moment with Savannah -- and it never even came his way.
'He wasn't just passed over -- he wasn't even asked. That's what really stings.'
Insiders previously revealed to the Daily Mail that Melvin was left 'absolutely devastated' by being passed over to interview Guthrie in her first tell-all interview about her missing mother last month, with the gig instead going to Hoda Kotb.
Sources said Guthrie's return to the spotlight despite her mother Nancy's disappearance on February 1 has earned her 'respect' at NBC.
Loyal NBC star Melvin, who has been on the Today show since 2018, felt he had earned the opportunity to take the reins of the show after replacing Kotb when she decided to step back in 2025 to spend more time with her family.
'Craig believed he'd earned that spot. He is the official co-host,' the source continued. 'So to be left out entirely feels like a major setback.'
'There's a real sense of confusion,' another insider said. 'He doesn't understand why he wasn't given the opportunity. Hoda walked away from the seat. It's not fair.'
The alleged slight at Melvin led his colleagues to fear for his future on the morning show, sources added, with the backstabbing atmosphere at Today likened to 'a vipers' nest'.
Melvin had been a mainstay on Today ever since Kotb scaled back her appearances, which he previously 'thought was prof he was being taken seriously as a co-host.'
'Now he's questioning that,' an insider said.
'The rug was pulled out from under him. He went from confident to uncertain overnight.'
'It's not just disappointment -- it's doubt. About his role, his standing, all of it.'