Why is CBS moving on from Phil Simms?

On Monday, Simms confirmed on his X account that CBS isn't renewing his contract, writing: "Great 26-year run with CBS Sports. Even though that part of my career is over, I'm looking forward to what is next."

It's a bit of a surprise that CBS moved on from Simms, 68. He served as the Network's No. 1 game analyst for 19 seasons, calling 15 Super Bowls. After Tony Romo became CBS' lead analyst in 2017, Simms joined "The NFL Today."

However, networks want to attract younger viewers. As a result, they're bringing in new faces. On Monday, CBS announced recently retired quarterback Matt Ryan, 38, will join its pregame show.

"Most of the NFL's broadcast partners are obsessed with getting 'younger,'" wrote Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports. "They like hiring 30-something analysts like Ryan, who are fresh off the field and experts in today's pass-happy NFL. They're also worried that they can't replace football's aging viewership with younger, more diverse viewers." 

CBS experimented with this in 2023 when it added three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt, 35. Expect other networks to follow suit. On Monday, The Athletic's Andrew Marchand reported former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, 36, is heading to ESPN's "Monday Night Countdown." 

McCarthy suggested Fox may eventually move on from Howie Long (64), Terry Bradshaw (75) and Jimmy Johnson (80), even though the trio has helped make "Fox NFL Sunday" the No. 1 pregame show for 30 years. 

NFL media is changing, and CBS is simply following the trends.