NBC Sports has made a change to Football Night in America ahead of the 2026 NFL season. The team has taken longtime cast member Chris Simms off the program.
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Simms revealed the news during an episode of Pro Football Talk Live with Mike Florio. He confirmed that he will no longer help set up the primetime NFL matches each Sunday night of the season.
"I'm not on the show anymore, Mike," Simms said. He noted that NBC Sports informed him ahead of the NFL Draft. " I don't know if anyone told you.
"I will not be part of Football Night in America. They told me that last week, so that's just going to be a different aspect. That hurt because I do love it."
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Simms, a third-round pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, spent five seasons in the NFL. He played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for three seasons while going 7-8. He spent one season each with the Tennessee Titans and Denver Broncos.
Simms remained in the sport after donning shoulder pads for the final time. He provided color commentary for college football games for Fox Sports and NFL games for CBS Sports.
The son of former quarterback Phil Simms joined NBC Sports in 2016. He joined to co-host PFT Live with Florio, and he added in some studio work.
His role has expanded over the last decade, to the point that he became a mainstay on Football Night in America alongside Maria Taylor, Jason Garrett, and Devin McCourty.
Now, however, he will lose this role. The man who will take this spot is former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, who landed a spot on Football Night in America on April 26.
"When Mike Tomlin talks, people listen. He's one of the most iconic and respected coaches and voices in the NFL," said Sam Flood, Executive Producer and President, Production, NBC Sports.
"We're excited that this Super Bowl-winning coach is coming straight from the sideline to Football Night in America. His perspective and passion for the game will add an authentic new voice to NFL Sundays."
