Chris Simms, a longtime analyst on NBC’s “Football Night in America,” remains befuddled by his exit from the program after seven seasons.
According to Simms, NBC’s internal grades assured him he was one of the show’s strongest voices throughout his tenure until he was informed in April he wouldn’t return to the program.
“It stings I’m not on that show anymore,” Simms told Barrett Media’s John Mamola. “I did love doing it, and it kind of felt like it was coming that way. When they tell you you’re awesome on the show and grading higher than anybody every week, then you don’t get to go on the show in the future, you’re a little confused by it.”
Simms was part of NBC’s shakeup for its “Sunday Night Football” pregame show. Tony Dungy’s 17-year run with the network came to an end after last season, as he announced in March. Rodney Harrison and Jac Collinsworth also weren’t brought back.
Mike Tomlin was the biggest addition as NBC’s newest lead studio analyst, putting him alongside Maria Taylor, Jason Garrett and Devin McCourty. The foursome is traveling to the site of every “Sunday Night Football” game this season.
Simms continues to work with the network, co-hosting “PFT Live” with Mike Florio and hosting “Unbuttoned” with Connor Rogers, as well as doing work on their college football coverage. While he thinks Tomlin has done well on the panel, Simms doesn’t believe it will be a long-term fit.
“I don’t see him staying long term. He’s really good at it, but I think he’s a great coach,” Simms said. “He’s a great leader of men. Also, the best communicator of any coach I’ve ever been in a locker room with. But the way they’re paying these coaches now, if there’s a situation he likes, I don’t think he’ll turn it down. That’s just a guess.”
