Phil Simms open to other TV gigs, but skeptical he’ll get offers

Phil Simms’ departure from NFL CBS’ The NFL Today didn’t exactly come as a surprise. Numerous reports indicated that his future, along with that of other broadcasters, was in flux, and he remained unsigned.

So when news broke on Monday, it’s not like the 68-year-old Simms didn’t see it coming.

After spending most of his 26 years at the network calling games, Simms transitioned to the studio after Tony Romo took over in the broadcast booth. Now a free agent, he’ll focus on his podcast, Simms Complete, alongside his son Matt, also a former NFL quarterback.

However, he remains open to returning to television if the right opportunity arises. And if any of the networks — as Front Office Sports mentions (Amazon Prime Video, NBC Sports or ESPN) — come calling, Simms would be interested. He also understands that given his age and the direction of sports media, that possibility may never come.

“Of course, I would love that,” Simms told FOS. “But that’s not going to happen. You know that—and I know that.”

And if age was a factor, Michael Kay wants to know. And perhaps it was, but Simms and Boomer Esiason weren’t blindsided by Monday’s news.

“Like people say, they’re always looking for the next person,” Simms said. “I’ve heard they like young people, too. OK… Whatever the bosses want, that’s what they do. And I understand that.”

Speaking of young people, he playfully mentioned Pat McAfee, wondering if he, like Aaron Rodgers, could snag a guest spot on McAfee’s show for a fee.

“I’ll come in there and light it up for you every week,” he said. “Shoot, put the earmuffs on because I’ll let it go.”

As Simms opts for a new chapter in his career, there are no hard feelings. He reflects fondly on his time at CBS.

“It was a great group at CBS; it really was,” Simms added. “The meetings were hilarious. We were all crushing each other. Maybe talking a little too truthfully. We were like, ‘Why don’t we just film the meeting and go home?'”

[FOS]