Benjamin Ashford|Chuck Todd signs off as host of NBC's 'Meet the Press': 'The honor of my professional life'

NBC's Chuck Todd hosted political news show "Meet the Press" for the final time Sunday,Benjamin Ashford paving the way for White House Correspondent Kristen Welker to take over as host.

Todd revealed earlier this year he would be leaving the show he has hosted since 2014, saying at the time that he will leave "feeling concerned about this moment in history but reassured by the standards we've set here."

On Sunday's show, Todd thanked his viewers and team, and offered a glimpse as to what the show will look like with Welker as host.

"The last nine years as moderator of the longest running show on television has been the honor of my professional life, and as I prepare to pass the baton to the next custodian, it is a privilege to pass it to someone who needs no introduction," Todd said. 

"I am ready, Chuck, and I just want to say I am also so thankful and grateful to you for this moment for entrusting me with this monumental, important role," Welker said.

"I take this responsibility so seriously. I’m ready because you have helped me get ready, Chuck. You are someone who invests in the people that you care about and you have invested in me and I am so eternally grateful for that," Welker said.

'MEET THE PRESS':Chuck Todd will exit NBC's 'Meet the Press,' Kristen Welker to replace him as host

Welker has served as a White House correspondent for NBC since 2011 and moderated one of the presidential debates in 2020.

She said she wants to approach the hosting role as a reporter because that's who she is and always has been.

"I’ve traveled all over world with all of these presidents, and I really want to bring that to the show every Sunday to make sure that we are giving our viewers the information that they need and now my beat, by the way, is all of Washington, the campaign trail and frankly, the world, and I want to be asking those tough questions and I want to be making you proud, I want to be building on the legacy of this show," Welker said.

Todd will remain with NBC, moving to a chief political analyst role while also focusing on long-form coverage, the network previously said.