Could a massive shakeup be on its way to The NFL Today panel? Following Super Bowl LVIII, the contracts of Bill Cowher, Boomer Esiason, and Phil Simms all expire, and Nate Burleson’s expires before next season. We could potentially see a completely different cast analyze games for CBS for the 2024-25 NFL season.
According to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, The NFL Today host James Brown recently signed a two-year deal to remain with CBS. However, none of his other studio mates have done the same. This leaves the fate of CBS’ pregame show up in the air as the only talent that will have a contract of any kind at next season’s kickoff is J.J. Watt, who up until this point has only done part-time work for the network.
Marchand notes that Burleson is among the most interesting names on the list. While he seemingly factors into The NFL Today’s present and future, he has ascended to a new level of stardom within the Paramount Global family. He currently hosts CBS Mornings daily and covers the NFL for Nickelodeon. Burleson will call Super Bowl LVIII alongside Noah Eagle for Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob-themed alternate telecast. Could Burleson ditch The NFL Today and focus on his other responsibilities?
Among the remaining “old guard” of Cowher, Esiason, and Simms, Marchand notes that while all three may return, CBS may let one or two of them go. CBS could opt to either not replace the departing voices and shrink the cast, or go after another major NFL voice — namely Bill Belichick. Belichick reportedly declined the Atlanta Falcons head coaching job and will likely not coach this season. For what it’s worth, Belichick’s college coaching contemporary, Nick Saban, recently signed a deal with ESPN after leaving his head coaching gig at Alabama.
However, as Marchand notes, Belichick is likely itching to get back to the sideline. He is just 15 wins away from breaking former Dolphins head coach Don Shula’s all-time coaching wins record. To replace Bill Cowher, who joined CBS in 2007, with a “rental” coaching perspective, would go against CBS’ philosophy.
Marchand notes that CBS is loyal to its longtime hosts and recounts how Phil Simms was jettisoned from the top booth when the company signed Tony Romo to call games. Instead, he was offered the prominent panelist position on Today, where he has found chemistry with fellow New York QB Esiason.
During its NFL Media Day, CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus and president David Berson declined to comment on the show’s future, according to Marchand. Instead, they are focused on Super Bowl Sunday and want to avoid any mention of a shakeup in their midst.
