Matt Ryan, who recently retired from his 15-year NFL career, is set to join CBS Sports as a studio analyst for "The NFL Today." This announcement follows CBS's decision to part ways with long-time analysts Phil Simms and Boomer Esiason.
Ryan will join the current lineup of James Brown, Nate Burleson, Bill Cowher, and JJ Watt. Last season, the 2016 NFL MVP and four-time Pro Bowl quarterback joined CBS Sports as an NFL game analyst and made appearances in the studio during the playoffs and Super Bowl. CBS Sports president and CEO David Berson praised Ryan's performance, stating that he excelled in both studio and game analysis. Berson also highlighted Ryan's chemistry with the studio crew and expressed excitement about Ryan entertaining NFL fans with his passion, insight, and perspective.
Simms, who joined CBS in 1998 after the network won the rights to the AFC, had been the lead game analyst until he moved to the studio in 2017. His contract expired after the Super Bowl, ending his 26-year tenure with CBS Sports. Simms expressed gratitude for his time with CBS Sports and expressed optimism about the future.
Esiason, who had been on "The NFL Today" for 22 years, was the show's longest-tenured analyst. He will continue working on a New York sports talk radio show simulcast on CBS Sports Network. Berson praised both Simms and Esiason for their contributions, thanking them for their passion, dedication, and commitment to elevating CBS Sports' NFL coverage.
Ryan, who played for the Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts, is ranked in the top 10 in NFL history in passing yards, touchdowns, completions, and attempts.