Chris Simms out of NBC's 'SNF' NFL coverage after Mike Tomlin hire

TL;DR

Chris Simms is leaving NBC's 'Football Night in America' after the hiring of Mike Tomlin as a new analyst. Tomlin aims to bring fresh insights to the revamped show, which will feature live broadcasts from NFL stadiums starting in 2026.

Key points

Chris Simms is leaving NBC's 'Football Night in America'.
Mike Tomlin has been hired to join the show's desk.
The show will air live from NFL stadiums starting in 2026.
Tony Dungy also departed from the show this offseason.

Mentioned in this story

Chris SimmsMike TomlinTony DungyNBC

NFL

Chris Simms’ days on “Football Night in America,” NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” studio pre- and post-game show, are over.

Simms announced he was leaving the “FNIA” April 27 during “Pro Football Talk Live,” a show he co-hosts with Mike Florio.

NBC hired former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin to join the desk as it revamps the show, which will air live from the stadium where the Sunday night game is being played every week of the NFL calendar in 2026. Former NFL head coach Tony Dungy was another high-profile departure from “FNIA” this offseason.

"I just thought it'd be a great way to stay connected to the game and the awesome people in it, players, coaches, executives, and excited about doing that on Sunday night and traveling to different venues and getting that feel for the environment," Tomlin, 54, said in an interview April 26 with Taylor regarding his new role.

Tomlin added: "I just thought it'd be awesome to share insight with fellow football lovers. I love to talk football. And so that's just an exciting component for me. I got to admit, though, there's going to be some anxiety about stepping into a new space, but good anxiety. It's good to be uncomfortable, the growth associated with that. And so man, I'm fired up about it."

Simms, 45, played eight seasons in the NFL as a backup quarterback and joined NBC in 2016 as part of the network’s Notre Dame coverage. He moved up to the NFL ranks in 2019 and co-hosted post-game coverage on Peacock starting in 2021. He is expected to continue in his role as co-host the daily “PFT Live” show.

Simms is the son of former NFL quarterback and broadcaster Phil Simms.

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