CBS is benching a pair of former New York quarterbacks.
Boomer Esiason and Phil Simms are out at the “The NFL Today” as the NFL studio show undergoes a huge makeover with Matt Ryan and JJ Watt joining James Brown, Nate Burleson and Bill Cowher.
Esiason, the former Jets quarterback announced on Monday morning that he is “stepping away” from the position and that he signed a long-term deal to remain with WFAN as co-host of its morning show with Gregg Giannotti.
“More their decision than maybe mine,” Esiason, 63, said of CBS before thanking all the behind-the-scenes staff that made his job possible.
“I had been there for 22 years. The guy who hired me back in 2001 was a guy by the name of Sean McManus, who was the CBS Sports chairman. … I never in my wildest dreams it would have lasted 22 years. With all the people that I’ve worked with CBS and the ‘NFL Today’ it’s been an amazing run.”
McManus is stepping down from his role as chairman this year.
Simms, who helped the Giants win two Super Bowls, announced the news on X.
“Great 26 yrs run with CBS SPORTS. Even though that part of my career is over I look forward to what is next..,” Simms wrote.
The Post reported in January that changes could be coming with Esiason, Simms, Cowher and Brown all at the end of their contracts.
Simms was previously part of the No. 1 broadcasting booth alongside Jim Nantz before being replaced by Tony Romo in 2017. Simms, 68, said in January that even if his time at CBS ends, he still plans on working in football broadcasting.
“I’m never going to get out of it,” Simms told The Post. “I don’t know what I’ll do if I don’t go back to CBS. But I’m definitely going to continue to work with or in the NFL — somewhere, somehow, whatever it is. I’m just not going to go, ‘OK, I’m done. I’m retired.’ ”
Brown, the show’s longtime host, was expected to get a new deal with his contract up.
