CBS is making significant changes to its NFL studio show lineup, with former New York quarterbacks Boomer Esiason and Phil Simms departing from “The NFL Today.”
They will be replaced by newcomers Matt Ryan and JJ Watt, who will join existing hosts James Brown, Nate Burleson, and Bill Cowher.
Boomer Esiason, the former Jets quarterback, announced on Monday morning that he is “stepping away” from his role at CBS and has signed a long-term contract to continue co-hosting the morning show on WFAN with Gregg Giannotti. Esiason, 63, remarked that the decision was more on CBS’s part than his own. “I had been there for 22 years,” he reflected. “The guy who hired me back in 2001 was a guy by the name of Sean McManus, who was the CBS Sports Chairman… I never in my wildest dreams thought it would have lasted 22 years. It’s been an amazing run.”
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Sean McManus is also departing his role as chairman this year.
Phil Simms, celebrated for leading the Giants to two Super Bowl victories, shared his departure on X, expressing gratitude for his 26-year tenure with CBS Sports and optimism about his future prospects. “Great 26 yrs run with CBS SPORTS. Even though that part of my career is over I look forward to what is next,” Simms posted.
The Post had previously reported in January that changes were anticipated, as the contracts of Esiason, Simms, Cowher, and Brown were nearing their end. Simms, who was replaced by Tony Romo in the No. 1 broadcasting booth in 2017, expressed a strong desire to continue in football broadcasting regardless of his status at CBS. “I’m never going to get out of it,” Simms stated to The Post. “I don’t know what I’ll do if I don’t go back to CBS. But I’m definitely going to continue to work with or in the NFL — somewhere, somehow, whatever it is.”
James Brown, the long-serving host of the show, was expected to negotiate a new contract with his current one expiring.
