Matt Ryan, a former NFL player and MVP, is set to join CBS Sports as a studio analyst on “The NFL Today.” This news comes after the departure of Phil Simms and Boomer Esiason, who had been on the show for many years. Ryan will be joining James Brown, Nate Burleson, Bill Cowher, and JJ Watt in the studio.
Last season, Ryan worked as an NFL game analyst for CBS Sports and also appeared in the studio during the playoffs and Super Bowl. The move marks a significant change under new CBS Sports President and CEO David Berson’s leadership. This follows the retirement of chairman Sean McManus three weeks ago.
Simms joined CBS in 1998 as the lead game analyst before moving to the studio in 2017. He was known for his expertise and dedication to his work on “The NFL Today.” On the other hand, Esiason had been on the show for 22 years, making him its longest-tenured analyst. He will continue his work on a New York sports talk radio show, simulcast on CBS Sports Network.
CBS Sports President David Berson praised both Simms and Esiason for their contributions to the network’s NFL coverage. He highlighted their standard of excellence and thanked them for their dedication and commitment to their roles. With Ryan joining the team, “The NFL Today” is looking forward to adding new energy and fresh perspectives to its analysis efforts.
Ryan played quarterback for several teams throughout his career, including the Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts. He ranks among the top 10 quarterbacks in NFL history in several passing categories. This move is an exciting opportunity for Ryan to continue contributing to football coverage while also gaining new insights into how games are played from different perspectives.
As he joins “The NFL Today,” Ryan will bring his experience as an athlete along with his knowledge of football strategy and analysis skills that he honed during his time as an NFL game analyst for CBS Sports last season.
Overall, this announcement represents a significant shift under Berson’s leadership at CBS Sports, following McManus’ retirement three weeks ago. The network is excited about what Ryan can bring to its studio team and looks forward to seeing him contribute alongside other veteran analysts such as Brown, Burleson, Cowher, and Watt.
