He's been chief legal correspondent, anchor, and executive. So what will be Dan Abrams' next act? If you ask insiders, and we did, it may not be with NBC. Abrams final Verdict airs Thursday night on MSNBC. He's being replaced by Rachel Maddow, a rising star at the network. The NYTimes' Bill Carter, who broke the news, reports Abrams will anchor MSNBC daytime shows as well as filling in on the Weekend Today show and reporting for the network.

But one insider predicts the 11-year NBC veteran might just leave the peacock altogether. "There's interest from other news networks," the source says. We're told Abrams has another year on his contract, but could be let out early if another job comes along. And we hear that may include a management position. Abrams was general manager of MSNBC for 15 months in 2006-2007.

As for the cancellation of Verdict, Abrams tells Carter, "Putting my general manager's hat back on, considering where the network is right now, it is actually the right call."

Very diplomatic, Dan.