Matt Ryan, who recently retired after a 15-year career in the NFL, has been announced as the newest studio analyst on CBS Sports’ “The NFL Today.” This announcement comes as longtime analysts Phil Simms and Boomer Esiason depart from the show. Ryan will be joining James Brown, Nate Burleson, Bill Cowher, and JJ Watt on the studio team. His addition comes after a successful first year at CBS Sports where he served as an NFL game analyst and appeared in the studio during the playoffs and Super Bowl.
CBS Sports president and CEO David Berson expressed excitement about Ryan’s new role, highlighting his chemistry with the studio crew and passion for the game. Simms and Esiason’s contracts expired after the Super Bowl, marking the end of their long tenures on the show. Simms, who joined CBS in 1998, transitioned from lead game analyst to the studio in 2017, while Esiason had been part of “The NFL Today” for 22 years.
Simms took to social media to express gratitude for his time with CBS Sports and to look forward to what’s next. Esiason, on the other hand, will continue his work on a New York sports talk radio show simulcast on CBS Sports Network. Berson thanked both Simms and Esiason for their contributions, dedication, and commitment to CBS Sports’ NFL coverage over the years.
Matt Ryan, known for his successful career with the Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts, holds top-10 rankings in several passing categories in NFL history. This change in the CBS Sports lineup is one of the first significant moves under Berson’s leadership, following the retirement of chairman Sean McManus.