The End of an Era: Boomer Esiason Steps Down from The NFL Today After 22 Years
Boomer Esiason is stepping away from his role as a co-host on The NFL Today, marking the end of his 22-year run on the pregame show. However, he has extended his contract for the morning slot on his WFAN radio show and will continue with the CBS Sports Network simulcast. Esiason mentioned that the decision was more on CBS’s end than his own and sees the upcoming Super Bowl in Las Vegas as his “swan song.”
With Esiason’s departure, The NFL Today is facing a reworked lineup. Host James Brown will be staying but everyone else’s contracts were up, including Phil Simms, Bill Cowher, and Nate Burleson. J.J. Watt is under contract but appeared on a part-time basis in 2023. More announcements are expected soon, especially with the annual upfronts with advertisers approaching in two weeks. This is usually when most lineups for the upcoming season are finalized.
The NFL Today has been a staple since the ’70s and was once considered appointment viewing. However, with the multitude of ways to get information and analysis on a Sunday morning or early afternoon, traditional pregame shows like The NFL Today may not have the same impact they once did. Changes in the lineup and format may be necessary to keep viewers engaged in today’s media landscape.
