Boomer Esiason broke his silence on his surprising departure from CBS Sports.
Earlier this week, the former NFL MVP and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback revealed on his daily radio show that he and Phil Simms were on the network’s NFL pregame show.
Esiason was on ‘The NFL Today’ for 22 years and was the show’s longest-serving analyst.
He will continue to work on a New York sports radio show simulcast on CBS Sports Network.
But he admitted he was “more than happy to step aside” during an interview on The Dan LeBatard Show.
Boomer Esiason revealed that he and Phil Simms were on CBS Sports’ NFL pregame show.
Esiason was on ‘The NFL Today’ for 22 years and was the show’s longest-serving analyst.
“I was more than happy to step aside. I spent my time there,” Esiason said.
‘I loved that seat. I appreciated that seat, I appreciated talking to football fans every Sunday, but there comes a time when you have to find some time for yourself. And this was the right time.”
Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has been chosen as the replacement, CBS Sports announced Monday.
The 2016 NFL MVP announced his retirement from the league last week after not signing in 2023. Ryan was first hired by CBS a year ago and served as a game commentator for the network last season.
“Phil and Boomer set the standard of excellence for NFL analysts,” CBS Sports president and CEO David Berson said in a statement.
Phil Simms (right) and Esiason (left) were rejected by CBS for contract renewal.
Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan chosen as replacement after retiring
‘We are very grateful for his immeasurable contributions to CBS Sports. “We truly thank them for being incredible teammates and for their passion, dedication and commitment to elevating CBS Sports’ NFL coverage each season.”
ESPN and YES Network host Michael Kay openly questioned the decision to fire both Esiason and Simms in the aftermath.
‘Boomer has been there for 22 years. Phil’s [been there] 26 years. And you know, I hope CBS fixed everything.
‘Because if you get rid of kids just because of their age, you’ll get into trouble. You cannot fire anyone because of their age.
He later said: ‘I guess they’ll have to sort it out because isn’t it strange that the two older guys have been sacked now?
“They might say, well, James Brown is in the ’70s, we’ll bring him back, in a different job.”