Phil Simms, Boomer Esiason out, Matt Ryan in at CBS’ revamped ‘The NFL Today’ studio show
Phil Simms and Boomer Esiason, who along with Troy Aikman and Terry Bradshaw have logged more broadcasting hours on network television than any other exquarterbacks for the past two decades, are out at CBS, which shuffled its NFL studio cast on Monday.
CBS announced that James Brown, Nate Burleson, Bill Cowher, J.J. Watt and newcomer Matt Ryan will be the revamped cast of its studio show, “The NFL Today.”
Simms and Esiason, whose contracts were up, won’t be back after long careers at the network.
Brown, Burleson and Cowher were full-time members of the CBS show last season. Watt was a part-time member. Ryan spent his first year as a broadcaster on CBS’ No. 4 game announcing team. So Watt and Ryan essentially replace Simms and Esiason.
CBS opted to re-sign
Cowher, whose contract was up. Brown, 73, signed a contract extension last year to remain host. Burleson, considered a rising star in the business, is widely expected to someday succeed Brown as the show’s host.
Simms, 68, spent 19 years as CBS’ lead NFL game analyst, first with Greg Gumbel and then with Jim Nantz, before moving to the studio in 2017 when CBS hired Tony Romo to work alongside Nantz. Gumbel left NFL play-by-play last season.
“Great 26 yrs run with CBS SPORTS,” Simms said on the social media platform X on Monday morning, moments before CBS’ announcement. “Even though that part of my career is over I look forward to what is next.”
Esiason, 63, spent 22 years in CBS’ NFL studio.
“Phil and Boomer set the standard of excellence for NFL analysts,” said CBS Sports president and CEO David Berson, who was promoted to replace the recently retired Sean McManus as the top executive in the network’s sports division.
“We are so grateful for their immeasurable contributions to CBS Sports. We genuinely thank them for being incredible teammates and for their passion, dedication and commitment to elevating CBS Sports’ NFL coverage every season.”
Ryan, 38, ranks seventh on the NFL’s all-time passing list with 62,792 yards. He was league MVP in 2016 and led the Atlanta Falcons to one Super Bowl appearance, a loss to the New England Patriots.
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NFL
Chiefs: Travis Kelce and Kansas City agreed to a two-year contract extension that makes the ninetime Pro Bowl selection the NFL’s highest-paid tight end.
The Chiefs made the announcement Monday afternoon but did not disclose the financial details. NFL Network and ESPN reported that Kelce’s deal adds two years and $34.25 million to his existing contract, which now ends in 2027.
“A special day and moment in this organization … this is something we just wanted to knock right out of the park early on,” general manager Brett Veach said in a video call Monday.
Kelce’s deal was quickly celebrated by Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“I told yall I’ll never let him leave!! Congrats my guy! @tkelce,” Mahomes said via X.
The deal potentially locks the foundational pieces of the team’s three Super
Bowl victories in Kansas City for at least two more seasons.
“Back at it again, baby,” Kelce said in a video shared by the Chiefs on Monday. “Feels good to be in KC. I remember coming here 12 years ago. It’s an honor and a pleasure. I can’t wait to get after it. Just got out on the field with the boys — we’re back at it again.”
Chiefs signed head coach
Andy Reid and Veach to contract extensions prior to the draft; defensive tackle
Chris Jones signed a fiveyear, $95 million deal in
March and Mahomes signed a 10-year deal in 2020.
Kelce, 34, was set to become a free agent after the 2025 season as part of a four-year, $57.25 million deal he signed in August 2020.
Cowboys: Ezekiel Elliott agreed to rejoin the Dallas Cowboys on Monday.
Elliott played for Dallas from 2016-22 after the team selected him No. 4 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. He spent last season with the New England Patriots after being released by Dallas.
ESPN reported the oneyear deal can be worth up to $3 million with incentives.
The Cowboys needed help in the backfield after letting running back Tony Pollard leave in free agency.
Elliott led the NFL in rushing in 2016 and 2018 and posted four 1,000-yard seasons with Dallas. He ranks third in Cowboys history in rushing yards (8,262) and rushing touchdowns (68) behind Hall of Fame members Emmitt
Smith and Tony Dorsett.
Bills: Buffalo is picking up the fifth-year option on defensive end Greg Rousseau, Fox Sports reported Monday.
Rousseau, the 30th overall selection in 2021, will earn a fully guaranteed salary of $13.387 million in 2025.
Rousseau, 24, registered five sacks, 18 quarterback hits and 42 tackles while starting 16 games last season.
The former University of Miami star’s career totals include 17 sacks, 42 QB hits, 129 tackles and three forced fumbles in 46 games (all starts).
NHL: The Seattle Kraken fired Dave Hakstol, the franchise’s first head coach, after three seasons on Monday.
Hired on June 24, 2021, Hakstol guided the Kraken to a 107-112-27 record that included a disappointing 34-35-13 mark in 2023-24.
It was a letdown after a 100-point finish and a first-round playoff series win during the 2022-23 campaign, when Hakstol was a finalist for the Jack Adams Award.