Chris Simms says NBC informed him he won’t be on Football Night in America anymore, as the network revamps its Sunday night lineup ahead of 2026.
Former NFL quarterback Chris Simms has revealed he will not return to NBC’s Football Night in America (FNIA), calling the news something that “hurt” even though he says he still expects to stay employed by the network.
Simms, who has worked as an analyst on FNIA since 2017, confirmed the change during an appearance on PFT Live.. He explained that he was told last week he would not be part of the show going forward. leaving fans to wonder what NBC’s Sunday night plans will look like once the season begins in September.. “I’m not on the show anymore,” Simms said, adding that the decision had been outside his hands.
The broader context is a major overhaul by NBC that has already reshaped the presenting and analyst mix.. Tony Dungy and fantasy voice Matthew Berry have both been removed from the lineup in recent weeks. while former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has been brought in as a headline replacement.. That kind of wholesale refresh suggests NBC isn’t simply swapping hosts—it’s recalibrating the brand of its primetime football package for a new era.
For Simms, the emotional sting is tied to what FNIA has represented to him over the years.. Viewers don’t just tune in for game breakdowns; they also follow the familiar rhythm of a long-running pregame and postgame show.. When a personality with years of on-screen presence gets removed. it changes the feel of the broadcast in a way that casual viewers may notice immediately—especially on nights when a show’s credibility is built around trust and consistency.. Simms made it clear that he genuinely values the work. which is why the abrupt nature of the update landed harder than a typical offseason transition.
What NBC’s FNIA shake-up says about Sunday night TV
Simms’ case also highlights the tricky balance networks try to strike.. Even when a contributor loses one on-screen role. they may still remain attached to other responsibilities. and that appears to be the path here.. Simms is reported to have multiple NBC assignments beyond FNIA. including college football coverage and hosting duties tied to his podcast. “Chris Simms Unbuttoned.” The implication for viewers is that this isn’t necessarily a clean break from NBC football coverage—more a reallocation of where and how his voice shows up.
Analyst uncertainty and the “traveling” direction
Tomlin framed his own arrival with the idea of staying connected to football and the “awesome people in it. ” even while acknowledging the anxiety that comes with stepping into a new space.. That message matches the logic behind the traveling format: coaches and analysts may be leveraged not only for analysis. but also for atmosphere—how they describe the atmosphere. how they talk with guests. and how the show sounds when it’s positioned near the action rather than centered in a studio.
Why Simms’ departure could matter more than it seems
There’s also a ripple effect.. If one high-profile analyst can be cut ahead of the season, viewers naturally start scanning for who might be next.. Simms’ comments come at a moment when FNIA’s final composition still appears unsettled. with other familiar names described as potentially “in question. ” according to reporting circulating around the league offseason.
For now. Simms is left with the uncomfortable clarity of being told he’s out of the show. while NBC works to rebuild the Sunday night identity it’s bringing into 2026.. And for fans. the real test will arrive when the season starts: whether the revised FNIA format feels like an improvement—or simply a loss of continuity that viewers can’t quite replace.