CBS Sports has decided to move on from Boomer Esiason and Phil Simms as part of the NFL studio show, replacing them with Matt Ryan and J.J. Watt, and popular ESPN New York radio host wonders if it's time to ask the age-old question.
Namely, did CBS think Esiason and Simms were just too old?
"Boomer's been there 22 years, Phil 26 years," Kay said, via Awful Announcing and the New York Post. "I hope CBS buttoned everything up. Because if you're getting rid of guys just because of their age, you're going to get yourself in trouble. Can't fire somebody because of their age."
That is true. What Kay is referring to is age discrimination.
"Do you really believe that Matt Ryan is more relevant than Boomer Esiason and Phil Simms?" Kay asked co-host Don La Greca.
That too is to think about.
Simms, aged 68, and Esiason, aged 63, boasted over two decades of tenure with CBS, notably serving as analysts on NFL Today studio show, a cornerstone of Sunday game coverage. Kay noted CBS's retention of 73-year-old James Brown as the show's host, as well as 66-year-old former Steelers coach Bill Cowher's continued involvement, suggesting potential inconsistencies in CBS' approach to age-related decisions.
The recent transition in CBS Sports leadership, with David Berson succeeding Sean McManus as chairman, adds another layer to all this. Kay proposed that the revamped lineup for NFL Today could reflect Berson's vision for the show, potentially leading to personnel and format changes.
Basically, as CBS navigates shifts in leadership and programming, the decision to overhaul NFL Today makes you wonder what the network may have in store next.
