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Why Chris Simms’ Unbuttoned Approach Has Made Him a Sports Media Mainstay

John Molori
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Why Chris Simms’ Unbuttoned Approach Has Made Him a Sports Media Mainstay

As a college and pro quarterback, Chris Simms knew how to throw the underneath pass. These days, as a sports media personality, he knows how to get underneath someone’s skin. The NBC Sports football analyst and host of the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast has become known for hot takes that put Pepper X to shame.

How flammable are Simms’ comments? Well, let’s just say that if he were a sauce on Hot Ones, he would definitely be the dab they call Thermageddon.

Simms is the son of former New York Giants QB and longtime NFL color analyst and studio commentator Phil Simms. While the elder Simms has never kept his opinions to himself, his son has taken the gab gene to another level. The only thing Chris Simms loves more than football is superlatives.

No Fear Approach

Heading into the 2025 NFL season, he told Kay Adams on FanDuel’s Up and Adams, “The Eagles are the most well-built football team we’ve seen this century.”

Philly’s football team was also involved in one of Simms’ most memorable tirades. When ESPN’s SportsCenter reposted a controversial Simms quote about Jalen Hurts and backup QB Gardner Minshew, it brought renewed heat on Simms. Who then proceeded to go on an expletive-laced rant against the network. Yup, if you ever get on Chris Simms’ s**t list, definitely ask if he will give you a chance to apologize.

Whether you love or loathe Simms, you cannot deny his gridiron resume. He was the USA Today High School Offensive Player of the Year in 1998 and a big-time signing for the University of Texas. A third-round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003, Simms never really developed into a frontline NFL quarterback, with additional stops in Tennessee and Denver.

After his playing days, he served as an assistant coach under Bill Belichick with the Patriots in 2012. Then, like his dad, pursued a career in broadcasting. Early on, it became clear that Chris not only inherited Phil’s penchant for passing, but also his passion. The younger Simms is one of those guys whom you never have to ask, “Where do you stand on this?”

In fact, he will most likely tell you before you ask.

Certainly, the last name helped expedite his TV career. But Simms has climbed the media ladder as co-host of the PFT Live podcast with Mike Florio and through stints with FOX and CBS before joining NBC in 2017. He eventually became part of NBC’s highly rated Football Night in America Sunday night showcase.

The Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast gives Simms even more time to unleash his opinions.

Effective Strategy

Simms is calculating, and I mean that in a good way. He knows what he is going to say and the reaction he is going to get. He is an intelligent commentator who wants whatever airtime he has to be valuable and memorable. But also, he has the necessary trait of being able to give and take the heat. When he released his top 10 all-time quarterback list earlier this year, it was hotter than ever.

It wasn’t so much that Simms had Peyton Manning, Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers and John Elway in his top five. It was the fact that he had seven-time Super Bowl champion and multiple NFL record-holder Tom Brady ranked ninth. Furthermore, he had current NFL players Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson ahead of Brady.

Lists and countdowns are a dime a dozen in sports television these days. Simms knew he had to throw a grenade into his list for it to gain widespread interest.

He pulled the pin with Brady at No. 9.

For the 2026 season, Football Night in America has revamped its cast, with Simms, Tony Dungy, Rodney Harrison, Matthew Berry and Jac Collinsworth departing. Hosted by Maria Taylor, the new roster includes Jason Garrett, Devin McCourty, Mike Tomlin, Florio and Steve Kornacki. I do miss hearing Simms’ takes as a regular on Football Night in America. The guy lives for controversy. Maybe NBC is hoping that Tomlin, the loquacious and always frank former Steelers head coach, will bring that daring style to the show.

We shall see.

One thing we know is that, regardless of the program or platform, Simms will tackle any issue on the table and have a viewpoint that will probably tick off at least half of his audience. The other half will be so angry that they feel compelled to keep watching.

On the latest edition of the Unbuttoned podcast, a play on Simms’ buttoned-to-the-top shirt style, Simms was joined by Connor Rogers to reflect on Week 1 of the NFL season. The podcast moves fervently, with crisp discussion and timely graphics. Simms also showed fine interview skills with his guest, the equally candid Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

In addition to his NFL work, Simms is also an NBC college football analyst and brings the same braggadocio to that task. He recently lashed out at the many Week 1 blowout games pitting powerhouse football schools against much weaker opponents. On NBC’s B1G College Countdown and on Instagram, he stated, “We are in the era of college football super teams. These types of matchups have to go.”

In short, Chris Simms takes football commentary to a new level. For him, it is not about crossing a line. It is about erasing the line completely.

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Why Rob Carson Knew He Had to Go Public With His Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Krystina Alarcon Carroll
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Why Rob Carson Knew He Had to Go Public With His Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Rob Carson spreads joy, faith, and patriotism regularly on his show. While the radio host is known to be a jovial comedian, he shared some not-so-funny news with his audience earlier this year.

“When you say prostate cancer, it can be pretty bad stuff,” Carson said.

The conservative host originally had no intention of sharing this news with his audience because, “I just wanted to beat it and then come back with a victory story afterwards.” But after thinking about it for a while, he knew he had to tell them.

“I knew I needed to tell my audience because I needed them. I needed them. And I like to say I brought them to D.C. with me when I came here because I got a divorce,” Carson admitted. “So I went on the air, and I said, I’m telling you this because I need you, and I was just overwhelmed. Overwhelmed as a conservative commentator and entertainer — you expect a degree of, I don’t know, people trolling you — and I never got anything. I never got any trolling at all.”

Carson has often put parts of his personal life on the air, from struggling with addiction to divorce, and now cancer. His audience is there for him, sending prayers his way whenever he asks.

A Community Built for Each Other

The radio funnyman is now using his reach for more than just asking for help. “I want to use the reach that I have for good and encourage people who are going through stuff alone to just ask. And I’m not talking about money. I’m talking about just emotional support, or prayer, or whatever.”

He added, “The mantra of my show is entertain, inform, and motivate people to do good.” Carson knows there is a long road ahead, but his cancer is treatable. “Thank God that I found it. I know that I have a battle to go through, but I am going to use it to help others.”

Part of helping others is telling the audience about his treatment plan. Carson is using both standard modern medical protocols and traditional medicine. “I’m reading about ivermectin, fenbendazole, a keto diet, and supplements from a Canadian doctor,” Carson said. “I’ve been on ivermectin and fenbendazole since about April with no side effects.”

Through his own research, Carson has learned about multiple medical establishments studying ivermectin for cancer treatment, including Johns Hopkins and five different universities in Florida.

He was also very supportive of the keto diet. “Cancer loves sugar,” Carson affirmed. “When you get a PET scan, there are two different kinds of solutions they inject you with. One of them is kind of a sugar solution, and it goes right to the tumors. So they find the tumors that way.”

Inspiration From a Radio Legend

Carson’s cancer battle is not the first to hit radio airwaves. Most notably, Rush Limbaugh shared his battle with lung cancer with his audience before passing away. Today, Carson uses Rush as inspiration to keep taking to the mic even through the toughest of battles. “[Rush] had a death sentence for the last year of his life. He knew he was going to die within a year, and instead of taking the last year of his life off and going to see the world, he chose to go on the radio and inspire people and entertain people, because that’s what he did. And so I’m really blessed, and I can’t live in darkness,” Carson affirmed.

“Some lives are meant to serve as an example. Some are meant to serve as a warning. Mine exists somewhere in the middle,” Carson said. “I’m not a Bible banger, but I know that I’m here to witness for a number of reasons, whether that be with faith or with inspiration. I’m here to witness.”

He sees God working in his life in many different ways. “So I go to the pharmacy to get my first prescription for the treatment of cancer, and you want to know what the pharmacist’s name is behind the counter?” Carson asked rhetorically. “Amen. I looked at him and I said, ‘Your name is Amen.’ And he goes, ‘Yes, it’s Amen.’ It was crazy. I was driving home, I posted it on social media, I drive up, and there’s a truck in front of me. It’s a plumbing, heating, and electric company, and the company’s name is Risen.”

What’s Next After Cancer Diagnosis

Carson feels God has guided him to this point throughout his life. When he was released from his D.C. studio location, Newsmax moved him into their studio, and his podcast reach keeps rising. “Depending on the metric you look at, my podcast is between number 10 and number 16 in the country for news and commentary, right behind Victor Davis Hanson.”

As he continues to battle cancer, Carson is also looking to bring his show to other affiliates because he believes in the power of radio. “Local radio is the most powerful way to reach a local audience. I like to say newspaper and TV cover murders and sports. Radio is the connection — radio is the lifeblood of the community. It’s still incredibly powerful.”

So with the power of prayer, community, and radio, Carson is hoping to help others battling cancer the same way he is — with joy, faith, and comedy.

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Jake Lyman Departing 102.5 The Game For Virginia Tech Assistant Director Of Broadcasting Role

John Mamola
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Jake Lyman Departing 102.5 The Game For Virginia Tech Assistant Director Of Broadcasting Role

Virginia Tech has a new voice in the booth. Jake Lyman is returning to Blacksburg as assistant director of broadcasting for the Virginia Tech Sports Network.

What We Know: Lyman graduated from Virginia Tech’s sports media and analytics program in 2022. For the past four seasons, he called games as the voice of Vanderbilt women’s basketball. Which included the program’s 2024 NCAA tournament return and a 2026 Sweet Sixteen run. He also broadcast select Nashville Sounds Triple-A games during his time in Tennessee. With his new role, Lyman will be departing his midday show at Nashville’s 102.5 The Game. Lyman moved to the midday slot last August after the station chose not to renew Jared Stillman’s contract.

What They Said: Jake Lyman (via X): “I never expected to be a sports-talk radio host. But the last 3+ years have been a dream come true covering Nashville Sports! Thank you Chase McCabe for the opportunities. Thank you to all of the great friends that I’ve worked with on Next Man Up and beyond!”

Jake Lyman: “It is an honor to have the opportunity to return to Virginia Tech and work with two programs that were instrumental in my growth as a broadcaster. I have been a Hokie my entire life and I am thrilled to come home to Blacksburg and bring the incredible stories of our women’s basketball and baseball programs to Tech fans!”

What Remains Unclear: 102.5 The Game has not released plans for Lyman’s upcoming departure. Barrett Media has learned the station plans to make an announcement soon.

What It Means: Virginia Tech gets a broadcaster with direct ties to its own alumni network and recent March Madness experience. Lyman built a multi-faceted resume both in his work for Vanderbilt and also at 102.5 The Game. In addition, for Hokies fans, it signals continuity and fresh energy heading into seasons ahead. Moreover, for 102.5 The Game, it signals more additional change coming to a timeslot that experienced it just over a year ago.

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93 WIBC Names Johnette Cruz, Brian Baker Hosts of New Midday Show

Garrett Searight
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93 WIBC Names Johnette Cruz, Brian Baker Hosts of New Midday Show

93 WIBC has named Johnette Cruz and Brian Baker as its new midday hosts. The pair will launch their new show Monday, October 5, replacing the station’s previous midday lineup.

What We Know: 93 WIBC is turning to Cruz and Baker for its new midday show following changes to the station’s lineup. The daypart previously featured Rob Kendall and Casey Daniels, but Kendall departed earlier this year after failing to reach a contract extension with the station. Daniels later exited in a separate move, creating an opening for a new midday program. The new show featuring Cruz and Baker will debut October 5th.

What They Said: “It was a really tough decision because we had a bunch of people that we put in different combinations. There were people I was considering that actually that we never heard on the air because they had other jobs on the air. But what attracted me to this combination was their complementary skill set. Johnette is a great storyteller. She really digs into stories, and Brian is so multifaceted. His resume, if you go look at LinkedIn, you’re going to go. ‘This guy did what?’ He’s done everything from hosting a financial show to being a stunt driver. So he’s got some really interesting life experiences, as does Johnette. We didn’t hear them as much together … but we could really tell that there was really something there.” -93 WIBC Program Director David Wood

What Remains Unclear: The station has yet to detail the full format, features, or regular segments for the new midday show. 93 WIBC has also not announced what the name of the program will be. Wood noted that he, Cruz, and Baker will come to a final decision in the coming days.

What It Means: Cruz and Baker now have an opportunity to establish a new midday identity for 93 WIBC. Meanwhile, their arrival completes a series of changes to the station’s weekday schedule following the departures of Kendall and Daniels.

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Dan Le Batard Credits Joe Buck For Making Troy Aikman A Star Analyst

John Mamola
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Dan Le Batard Credits Joe Buck For Making Troy Aikman A Star Analyst

Joe Buck just locked in a six-year, $108 million extension with ESPN. Dan Le Batard says the deal makes perfect sense because of the job he’s performed elevating Troy Aikman as an analyst.

What We Know: Buck’s new deal runs through 2032, per The Athletic. It raises his annual salary from roughly $15 million to $18 million. The extension keeps him calling Monday Night Football and sets up a second ESPN Super Bowl assignment in 2031. ESPN declined to confirm contract specifics ahead of its first Super Bowl broadcast this February. Meanwhile, Troy Aikman is still unsigned past the current football season. Dan Le Batard shared his praise of Buck and how he’s elevated Aikman’s performance on ESPN in an interview with Nothing Personal with David Samson.

What They Said: (All quotes via Nothing Personal with David Samson):

Dan Le Batard believes Joe Buck would make any analyst great: “Joe Buck is the very best. When I say he’s the very best, I mean that Troy Aikman could be a hundred different people from football, and Joe Buck would make them Troy Aikman. He is a prodigy. The way that he crafts what he does, it’s very hard to make it look that seamless. He’s been doing it that way [since calling] the World Series in his twenties because he learned it from his daddy.”

Dan Le Batard found it interesting that Troy Aikman still remains unsigned: “This isn’t about ESPN actually doing anything other than signaling to everybody that we in the NFL have bought the best. I think it’s symbolic and interesting, they’ve been a team for 25 years. They didn’t say it about Troy Aikman. They didn’t say it yesterday. Now they might. But I’m telling you that Joe Buck could make a thousand Troy Aikmans.”

Dan Le Batard on why Troy Aikman still is on Monday Night Football: “Troy Aikman is a Hall of Famer and a quarterback. He gets to bring in the league from the 1990s because they remember a real star. But that’s the value of Troy Aikman. It’s not the words. It’s that they’ve got a Hall of Famer that your grandpa knows.”

What Remains Unclear: Aikman’s status past this year with ESPN is still unknown. Also, any added work for Buck with his new extension remains unclear.

What It Means: Le Batard’s take doubles as a read on ESPN’s priorities. Buck’s steadiness anchors the booth heading into the network’s first Super Bowl. Meanwhile, Aikman’s Hall of Fame pedigree still pulls in older fans, per Le Batard — a different kind of value. Consequently, ESPN’s next big decision may hinge on how it balances both. While some may argue that the pairing in the broadcast booth may not matter to the viewership of the broadcast, Buck and Aikman continue to drive numbers not since in some time on ESPN.

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Riley Couture Returns to Radio After Two-Year Break

David Hill
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Riley Couture Returns to Radio After Two-Year Break

Riley Couture is returning to radio after a two-year break. She joins the Lite Breakfast Show at Lite 96 (96.3 WLXT Petoskey/96.7 WLXV Cadillac) in Northern Michigan.

What We Know Remote contributor Couture takes the Lite Breakfast Show at Lite 96 (96.3 WLXT Petoskey/96.7 WLXV Cadillac). She’s worked in Tampa, Grand Rapids, Nashville, Memphis, and Atlanta. Before 2022, Couture spent five years at Hot 99.5 Washington DC. There, she co-hosted The Kane Show and Your Morning Show. The DC market hosted her most recent major-market role.

What They Said Couture framed her return with passion. “My journey through radio has been filled with so many peaks and valleys,” she said, “but through it all, morning radio has always been my passion.” She emphasized her commitment. “I’ve spent more than half my adult life behind a microphone,” Couture added. Peter Garber, Head of Programming at MacDonald Garber Broadcasting, voiced his enthusiasm. He said the station felt “extremely fortunate to have found someone with Riley’s passion and talent.” Mark Elliott kept it simple. “I’m just happy to have someone to talk to every morning,” he noted—a direct take on breakfast radio chemistry.

What Remains Unclear Couture’s start date hasn’t come down yet. The station hasn’t detailed her remote setup specifics. Listeners don’t know how she’ll blend with Lite 96’s current format. MacDonald Garber hasn’t shared performance targets for the breakfast show either.

What It Means This move mirrors a bigger industry shift. Remote arrangements now attract experienced talent back to radio. MacDonald Garber clearly values breakfast show quality. That daypart matters most to radio audiences. Couture’s hire proves: morning personalities still build listener loyalty. Even as streaming fragments audiences, live hosts command attention.

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Ryan Clark: ESPN Firing Was “Purposeful” and Meant To “Humiliate”

John Mamola
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Ryan Clark: ESPN Firing Was “Purposeful” and Meant To “Humiliate”

Ryan Clark says ESPN’s handling of his exit was to embarrass him. He believes leaking his firing to OutKick was the point.

What We Know: ESPN let Clark go in July during a live taping of NFL Live. Clark says the company informed him Monday, while other employees learned of their layoffs Tuesday. Consequently, he insists ESPN fired him outright, not simply laid him off. In an interview with The Breakfast Club, Clark explained that he felt the handling of his firing was purposeful with an intent to embarrass.

What They Said: (All quotes via The Breakfast Club):

Ryan Clark why he considers his departure from ESPN a firing over a layoff: “Everybody that got laid off got told on Tuesday. Only one person got told on Monday on set. Me. That’s the distinction.”

Ryan Clark believes his firing being arranged to embarrass him: “It was also purposeful. It was also meant, in my opinion, to humiliate In leaking it to OutKick, you now know if anybody is going to curry favor for you in this decision, it’s going to be them because it’s me.”

Ryan Clark doesn’t understand why his firing was leaked to OutKick: “There’s so many reputable sports publications. Whether it’s you know Sports Illustrated, the New York Times, the Athletic. If this is going to be as big a news as it turned out to be, why not give it to them? Because you knew who you were giving it to. You knew the small amount of people within that building that knew it. Then the humiliation that you at least purposed it to come along with me being laid
off.”

Ryan Clark is thankful to the person who told him his departure was leaked to OutKick: “I do feel like it was about that humiliation, and he wanted to save me from that. It was already going to be enough written. It was already going to be enough laughs, enough jokes that I worked that day anyway. So I appreciated him.”

What Remains Unclear: It’s still unclear who at ESPN chose to leak the story with OutKick. Clark also did not identify who was the person who called him to inform him of the leaked story regarding his employment with ESPN.

What It Means: Ultimately, Clark’s account suggests some exits carry more than job loss. Despite losing his role with the network, Clark recently announced two deals that continue to build on his Pivot platform. One signing with Netflix for exclusive rights to full video episodes of The Pivot. The other announcing the formation of The Pivot Sports, a weekly show geared around the weekend in the NFL. For now, ESPN hasn’t responded to his humiliation claim.

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Hometown Broadcasting Acquires Four Stations $150,000 FCC Filing

David Hill
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Hometown Broadcasting Acquires Four Stations $150,000 FCC Filing

Greg Jensen’s Hometown Broadcasting is acquiring Connoisseur Media’s four stations for $150,000. The deal targets audiences in Austin and Albert Lea, Minnesota, reflecting Connoisseur’s strategy to refine its portfolio.

What We Know: Hometown is purchasing two stations in Austin: US 99.9 KAUS-FM and 1480 KAUS News/Talk. The deal also includes two Albert Lea stations: 94.9 The Breeze and 1450 KATE News/Talk. Jensen, who previously owned Minnesota stations, returns to radio ownership in his home state. Meanwhile, Connoisseur found these markets didn’t fit its strategy and sought strong local operators. This reflects Connoisseur’s approach to focus on markets where it can thrive most effectively.

What They Said: Jensen credited both Warshaw and deal broker Mike Orlandella. “We look forward to serving our communities with hometown ideas, local broadcasting and a commitment to being an active part of the communities we serve,” Jensen said. Warshaw praised Jensen’s vision in return. “We have been impressed by his commitment to the community and his desire to return to radio,” Warshaw noted. “We believe he is the right person to lead these stations into their next chapter.”

What Remains Unclear: Details about potential format changes or talent adjustments haven’t emerged yet. Additionally, no timeline has been announced for the FCC’s approval of the transaction. Jensen’s specific strategic vision for each station also awaits clarification in coming weeks.

What It Means: Local operators once again find opportunity to invest in communities where consolidation has dominated radio for decades. Similarly, Connoisseur’s portfolio refinement strategy continues—the company still owns stations in Mankato and Redwood Falls, Minnesota. Ultimately, this deal demonstrates that radio ownership remains attractive to operators committed to local service.

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99.9 The Fan Announces Multi-Year Extension With Carolina Hurricanes

John Mamola
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99.9 The Fan Announces Multi-Year Extension With Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina Hurricanes hockey isn’t changing stations. Capitol Broadcasting Company (CBC) and Hurricanes Holdings announced a multi-year extension keeping the team’s radio rights in place at 99.9 The Fan.

What We Know: 99.9 The Fan remains the Hurricanes’ flagship radio home. Moreover, all preseason, regular season and postseason games will air live, with Mike Maniscalco and Tripp Tracy calling the action. Also, the station will keep producing Storm Watch and Aftermath around games, plus the Canes Corner podcast with Adam Gold. 99.9 The Fan has carried Hurricanes hockey since 2007.

What They Said: Mike Sundheim, Carolina Hurricanes Vice President of Communications: “We’re proud to continue our partnership with 99.9 The Fan. Our fans can continue to hear Mike and Tripp call our games on the radio. From local talk shows to podcasts and pre- and post-game coverage, 99.9 The Fan remains a trusted outlet for Hurricanes fans looking to hear news, analysis and discussion beyond the games.”

Brian Grube, VP/GM of CBC Audio + Digital: “For nearly two decades, 99.9 The Fan has been proud to be part of the Hurricanes story. There couldn’t be a more exciting time to extend our partnership. Watching the Canes bring the Stanley Cup back to North Carolina was an unforgettable moment for our entire community. We’re tremendously appreciative of our relationship with the Hurricanes and honored to continue serving this incredibly passionate fanbase.”

What Remains Unclear: Meanwhile, neither side disclosed the deal’s exact length or financial terms.

What It Means: The extension locks in nearly two decades of continuity between the Hurricanes and their radio partner. In addition, fans keep familiar voices and year-round content across shows, podcasts and social channels. Moreover, for CBC, the deal reinforces its role in the fanbase’s daily routine.

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RTDNA Survey Shows Radio News Salaries Rose in 2025

Garrett Searight
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RTDNA Survey Shows Radio News Salaries Rose in 2025

Radio news salaries rose for a second straight year, according to the latest RTDNA/Newhouse School survey. However, several newsroom positions saw pay declines despite overall salary growth.

What We Know: The annual survey, conducted by RTDNA and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, examined responses from nearly 600 radio stations. Overall radio news salaries increased 7.64% in 2025, exceeding the 2.9% U.S. inflation rate. Still, the gain fell well short of the 14.5% increase reported in the previous survey.

What The Numbers Show: News reporters, sports anchors, and sports reporters recorded the largest average salary gains. Meanwhile, news producer pay fell by nearly $10,000, dropping into the low-$50,000 range. News director salaries also declined, although median pay for the position increased slightly. Additionally, non-commercial stations in the largest markets paid 30.6% more on average than commercial outlets. Starting salaries fell more than 8% for employees without full-time experience, while minimum starting pay increased nearly 24%.

What Remains Unclear: The survey doesn’t identify every factor behind the differences among positions, markets, and station types. Commercial salaries accounted for much of the gap with non-commercial stations, researchers said, while major markets posted declines for most positions.

What It Means: Radio newsrooms continue to face hiring challenges despite the overall salary increase. More than one-quarter of news directors and general managers with openings said recruiting had become more difficult, rising above one-third at commercial stations. Meanwhile, about 29% said they couldn’t find the right candidates.

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