Phil Simms, former NFL quarterback and two-time Super Bowl Champion, is making his return to the broadcast booth as an analyst for New York Giants preseason games alongside play-by-play announcer Bob Papa and analyst Carl Banks. The Giants play their first preseason game at MetLife Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 8 against the Detroit Lions as the organization prepares to kick off its 100th season in the National Football League. Two of the team’s three preseason games will be televised on FOX 5 New York ahead of the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 8.
Simms, who was a member of CBS Sports for the last 26 years, the final seven of which were spent as a studio analyst on The NFL Today, will not be returning to the award-winning program for the 2024 season. Prior to his time in the studio, Simms was the lead color commentator for CBS Sports, calling games with Greg Gumbel for his first six seasons and Jim Nantz in the 13 seasons thereafter. Once the network signed Tony Romo to work with Nantz, Simms was added to the studio lineup alongside James Brown, Boomer Esiason, Nate Burleson, Bill Cowher and Jason La Canfora.
In a statement posted to X, Simms explained that he was grateful for his time with CBS Sports and looking forward to what would come next. His departure from the network came after Paramount Global attained a record 123.7 million viewers for its presentation of Super Bowl LVIII. Boomer Esiason decided to step away from The NFL Today and sign a contract extension with WFAN, classifying it as more the decision of the network than his own. Sean McManus retired in April after 28 years leading CBS Sports, most recently as its chairman, and was succeeded by David Berson as president and chief executive officer of the division.
Before Simms started working in sports media, he played 15 years in the NFL with the New York Giants and served as the team’s starting quarterback. Simms won his first Super Bowl championship in 1987 and was named the most valuable player of the game. Four years later, he led “Big Blue” to another championship victory, further cementing his place among the pantheon of organization legends. Simms was inducted as a charter member of the Giants Ring of Honor in 2010 alongside many luminaries on the gridiron, including Frank Gifford, Tiki Barber, Amani Toomer and Michael Strahan.
