For all intents and purposes, the NFL offseason is essentially over. Free agency and the draft have come and gone, meaning the major transactions have already taken place.
The NFL on CBS didn't get that memo, however, making a big splash with some changes to their coverage. Their offseason shake-up sees the departure of longtime analysts Boomer Esiason and Phil Simms, as well as insider Josina Anderson, as a youth movement begins to sweep through the eye network.
It is notable that CBS waited until after the Super Bowl to make the changes, allowing the current group to have one last hurrah. Thanks to the NFL's new TV deals and the addition of ABC/ESPN to the Super Bowl broadcast rotation, CBS won't get the season's final game until 2028.
That gives the network plenty of time for their new crew to mesh, in addition to making further changes.
Here's what you need to know about "The NFL Today," and its new look for 2024 and beyond.
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Is James Brown still on 'NFL Today'?
James Brown will remain part of the cast on 'NFL Today,' according to a press release from CBS.
As of right now, the only changes are the departures of Simms and Esiason. The former NFL quarterbacks are just another example of players who were able to make the seamless transition from the field to the media.
The 68-year-old Simms served as the lead game analyst for nearly 20 years on CBS before sliding over to the studio. His departure from the booth notably coincided with the addition of Tony Romo alongside Jim Nantz on CBS' top NFL broadcast team.
His departure ends a 26-year run with the network.
Great 26 yrs run with CBS SPORTS. Even though that part of my career is over I look forward to what is next..
— Phil Simms (@PhilSimmsQB) April 29, 2024
CBS' decision to also drop Esiason from his studio role is fairly shocking, after he was a fixture there for 22 years. The 63-year-old brings a familiar voice to CBS after having previously served as an announcer for "Monday Night Football" and NFL games on Westwood One in addition to his top-rated morning show, "Boomer and Gio," on WFAN in New York.
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Esiason, in addition to announcing the "NFL Today" news, said he has signed an extension to continue doing the morning radio show.
“I am stepping away from "The NFL Today" on CBS,” Esiason said Monday on WFAN. “More their decision than maybe mine. But I really thought the Super Bowl was my swan song and I thought the way CBS handled, especially us in Las Vegas, was amazing. I had been there for 22 years.”
Boomer Esiason announces he is leaving The NFL Today on CBS, but signed an extension to continue his WFAN morning show with Gio pic.twitter.com/91E0OzmGx9
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 29, 2024
It's unclear whether Simms or Esiason will land studio gigs elsewhere, though it seems unlikely for the latter. The former Bengals and Jets quarterback seemed happy to be freeing up some weekends in the fall.
"I'm happy to be here," Esiason said about his radio show. "I'm happy to get my weekends back. I haven't really had extended weekends for about 40 years."
After Esiason and Simms announced their news on Monday, the next day, Anderson also revealed that her and the network decided to part ways.
"I want to thank the CBS Sports team for my experience and time there," Anderson said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. "I’m amicably moving on to future ventures. I wish all of the talented insiders, anchors, reporters, producers, executives and support staff the best."
I want to thank the CBS Sports team for my experience and time there. I’m amicably moving on to future ventures. I wish all of the talented insiders, anchors, reporters, producers, executives and support staff the best.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) April 30, 2024
Cordially,
Josina Anderson. pic.twitter.com/lmHPGLBKnR
The news comes just weeks after longtime CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus retired. David Berson, who succeeded McManus, is already making his mark on the network.
It comes as no surprise that the studio show was the first to experience the changes, considering the New York Post reported in January that Esiason, Simms, Brown and Bill Cowher's contracts were all expiring.
For now, Brown and Cowher appear to be safe, but it might just be the beginning of a new look for the NFL on CBS.
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CBS football analysts on 'NFL Today'
In their release on Monday, CBS announced that former NFL QB Matt Ryan, who officially retired on April 22, will join the crew in studio. Ryan notably served as an analyst in the broadcast booth alongside Andrew Catalon and Tiki Barber during the 2023 season.
Ryan has been a major part of CBS' coverage of the NFL since walking away from the game, and he also played a role during the playoffs and Super Bowl LVIII broadcasts.
He will be joined by the familiar faces of Brown, Cowher, and Nate Burleson in addition to J.J. Watt, who has also become a fixture on set as of late.
"Matt had an outstanding first year at CBS Sports, excelling as both a studio and game analyst," Berson said in a statement. “He is the consummate team player and a Hall of Fame person. We love the chemistry he has with the studio crew and we’re excited to see him entertain NFL fans and share his passion, insight, and perspective alongside JB, Nate, Coach, and JJ.”
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Boomer Esiason net worth
Esiason has an estimated net worth of $20 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Phil Simms net worth
Simms has a net worth of $16 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Josina Anderson net worth
Anderson carries a net worth of $2.2 million, according to Daily Choices.
Matt Ryan net worth
Ryan has an estimated net worth of $70 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
