Page Six: NBC Looks to Go Young with Williams Replacement

Page Six says that the short list has been drawn up should the internal investigation find Brian Williams needs to be replaced.

The list, which includes Lester Holt, Carl Quintanilla and Willie Geist, leans heavily on younger talent at the Peacock Network.

“They’re going to need to replace him with someone who has at least 15 years left [in his or her career],” one 30 Rock insider told The Post.

The move would appear to rule out Matt Lauer who, at 57, seems destined to remain on “Today.”

Monday, however, many news industry sources said Lauer would be the perfect replacement. Sources say Lauer was consulted for his opinion Monday on the spot.

Given his many years at “Today,” Lauer could bring his morning audience into the evening broadcast, some industry analysts posited.

Among the three internal candidates, Holt, who is currently sitting in for Williams during his self-imposed leave from the NBC Nightly News, seems to have the inside track.

CNBC host Quintanilla, who anchors financial show “Squawk on the Street,” is also being thought of seriously within 30 Rock for the slot.

“Today” news co-host Willie Geist, who joined the show from MSNBC, appears to also be in the running for the anchor slot.

“They need to be thinking of someone younger,” said one source.

Finding a host who can capture Williams’ popularity — before the scandal — will be a tough feat.

The NBC News anchor has the highest Q Scores of all his evening news competitors.