The NFL Today is undergoing changes as Boomer Esiason, a longtime member of the pregame show, announced on his radio show that he will not be returning to CBS in the fall. After a 22-year run on the show, Esiason has decided to focus on his radio show and CBS Sports Network simulcast instead. His departure marks a significant change for The NFL Today and leaves the show with a re-worked puzzle.
Despite Esiason’s exit, host James Brown will be staying on the show. Other members of the show, including Phil Simms, Bill Cowher, and Nate Burleson, had contracts that were also up for renewal. J.J. Watt, who appeared on a part-time basis in 2023, is under contract but the lineup for the upcoming season is still being finalized.
As the annual “upfronts” with advertisers approach in two weeks, more announcements regarding The NFL Today lineup are expected. The show, which debuted in the 1970s and was once considered appointment viewing, now faces competition from various platforms offering information and analysis on Sunday mornings and early afternoons. The changing landscape of sports media has led to a shift in viewership for traditional pregame shows like The NFL Today.