The NFL Today is undergoing significant changes as Boomer Esiason announced that he will not be returning to CBS in the fall. This marks the end of his 22-year run on the pregame show, but he has extended his contract for the morning slot on his WFAN radio show which he inherited with Craig Carton in 2007. He will also continue with the CBS Sports Network simulcast. Esiason mentioned that the decision was more on CBS’s end than his own and sees the upcoming Super Bowl in Las Vegas as his “swan song”.
With Esiason’s departure, The NFL Today is facing a reworked lineup. Host James Brown will be staying, but everyone else’s contracts were up, including Phil Simms, Bill Cowher, and Nate Burleson. J.J. Watt is under contract but appeared on a part-time basis in 2023. More announcements are expected soon, especially with the annual upfronts with advertisers approaching in two weeks. This is usually when most lineups for the upcoming season are finalized.
The NFL Today has been a staple since the ’70s and was once considered appointment viewing. However, with the multitude of ways to get information and analysis on a Sunday morning or early afternoon, traditional pregame shows like The NFL Today may not have the same impact they once did. Changes in the lineup and format may be necessary to keep viewers engaged in today’s media landscape.
Despite his departure from CBS’s flagship pregame show, Boomer Esiason remains committed to keeping viewers informed and entertained during football season through other means such as his WFAN radio show and simulcast appearances on CBS Sports Network.
As one of The NFL Today’s longtime hosts, Phil Simms has shared many memorable moments with fans over the years.
Bill Cowher has been an integral part of The NFL Today for nearly two decades.
Nate Burleson joined The NFL Today as co-host alongside James Brown in 2016.
James Brown has been hosting The NFL Today since 2018.
Jeremy Pruitt recently joined ESPN’s College Football Live as an analyst after leaving Tennessee as head coach.
ESPN announced last week that it had reached a deal to acquire rights to college basketball games from various conferences starting next season.
