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Pat McAfee: ‘End of an Era’ on ‘The NFL Today’

“Matt Ryan after he retired from the Colts, he would go on to kill Boomer Esiason and Phil Simms.”

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Pat McAfee
Courtesy: Phil Ellsworth, ESPN Images

CBS Sports announced on Monday morning that it was revamping the cast of The NFL Today, adding former NFL quarterback Matt Ryan to the roster. Additionally, the sports division revealed that former NFL quarterbacks Phil Simms and Boomer Esiason would not be returning to the program. As a result, the cast of the venerated studio program next season looks to include host James Brown with analysts Bill Cowher, Nate Burleson and J.J. Watt, along with the aforementioned Ryan. In a discussion about the Atlanta Falcons strategy at the 2024 NFL Draft with ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter, Pat McAfee discussed the outcome that took place at CBS Sports.

“Matt Ryan after he retired from the Colts, he would go on to kill Boomer Esiason and Phil Simms,” McAfee said on Monday’s edition of The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN. “Yeah, him and J.J. just took them off TV. I think that’s how it works is they did that, so hell of a run Boom; way to go [Phil].”

Simms worked as a member of The NFL Today beginning in 2017 after serving as the lead game analyst for CBS Sports for 13 seasons. Esiason had been the longest-tenured studio analyst on the show with 22 seasons under his belt, but he had expressed on Boomer & Gio Monday morning on WFAN that he felt as if Super Bowl LVIII was his “swan song.” On Monday morning, Audacy announced that he had inked a multi-year contract extension with the company to continue hosting the morning program on WFAN, which will have him surpass Don Imus as the longest-tenured morning show host in the history of the station.

“Honestly, those two guys are legends and they had an unbelievable run, and [I] have great respect for both those guys and Boomer’s a personal friend – I love that guy,” Schefter said. “Mad respect for the careers in TV that they’ve had, truly.”

“Boomer’s work ethic is one we’re all striving for, but those two guys – end of an era,” McAfee added. “End of an era, and we appreciate them; getting to spend Sunday mornings with them.”

The announcement of these departures comes two weeks after longtime division chairman Sean McManus retired from the company. David Berson currently leads CBS Sports as its president and chief executive officer coming off a record-setting Super Bowl that averaged 123.7 million viewers. CBS Sports is slated to broadcast Super Bowl LXII that will conclude the 2027 NFL season as part of its decade-long media rights contract with the league that began last season.

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Ryan Leaf: Jay Glazer ‘Is a Fraud When it Comes to Anything Mental Health or Wellness Related’

“Phelps is an inspiration but it gives me pause that he muddies his mind with that con man.”

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Photos of Ryan Leaf and Jay Glazer
Leaf Photo Credit: Houston Chronicle Glazer Photo Courtesy: FOX Sports

Swimmer Michael Phelps was a guest on NBC’s Meet the Press this weekend and as he has done before, he talked candidly about the challenges he has had with his mental health and his bouts with depression. He spoke with Kristen Welker and talked about FOX Sports football insider Jay Glazer being his “mental health buddy.” This brought quite the response from former Chargers quarterback and current football analyst Ryan Leaf.

“Jay Glazer and I, we’re both mental health buddies,” Phelps said. “We both struggle, and when we’re both having our bad days, we go through similar ups and downs. And we do similar things when we’re down, if that makes sense. We both had this conversation the other day because when it happens to me, I reach out to him. When it happens to him, he reaches out to me. I have a couple of friendships like that where we’ve kind of been really able to form a bond.”

In response to a social media post about the interview, Leaf held nothing back as he posted his thoughts about Glazer.

“Glazer is a fraud when it comes to anything mental health or wellness related,” Leaf wrote. “He uses it for his benefit and really isn’t invested in any of it unless it benefits him and his brand. Phelps is an inspiration but it gives me pause that he muddies his mind with that con man.”

Leaf has been vocal as well about his struggles with depression, addiction and a suicide attempt. Leaf also spent 32 months in prison when he violated the terms of his probation by breaking into a home to steal prescription drugs.

Back in 2018, a story from the New York Post talked about Leaf and Glazer working together on Glazer’s ‘Merging Vets and Players’ (MVP) initiative.

Glazer, who was recently married and has been on his honeymoon, posted on his X account in response to Phelps’ interview, “Brother, I am so honored to walk this walk with you!!! We save each other my dude!”

Glazer has not yet commented on the post from Leaf. Should he respond, we will update this story.

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‘NFL Total Access’ Comes to an End After 21 Years on NFL Network

“Today is our last show and while our team is disappointed, we are excited about what’s next for us at NFL Network.”

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NFL Total Access

‘NFL Total Access’ has been a part of the NFL Network since 2003 and today it is set for its final episode. The news of the show coming to an end came down earlier this month. Many of the current show participants took to social media to post their thoughts including hosts Mike Yam and Kimmi Chex along with analyst Chase Daniel.

“Tonight marks the last ever episode of NFL Total Access,” said Chex. “I was 7 years old when this show aired meaning that I spent my life watching. Co-hosting our flagship program this past season has been the honor of my career. I’m not going anywhere but for now, it’s goodbye TA.”

Yam said, “It’s been an absolute thrill hosting NFL Total Access. Today is our last show and while our team is disappointed, we are excited about what’s next for us at NFL Network. “Thank you” isn’t nearly enough to express the gratitude I have for the team. See you at 7est for 1 more run.”

A report from The Athletic said the show would be replaced “at least in the interim” by Insiders with Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero.

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NBCUniversal Names Olympic Hosts for USA, CNBC and E!; Kathryn Tappen Headlines

“We are excited to have an experienced group of hosts to present the most compelling stories, news, and interviews as we take viewers from event to event throughout the Games.”

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NBC Olympics Logo and photos of Cara Banks, Laura Britt, Trenni Casey, Lindsay Czarniak, Carolyn Manno, and Kathryn Tappen

NBCUniversal announced its hosts for coverage of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on USA Network, CNBC and E! Cara Banks, Laura Britt and Trenni Casey will all be a part of the coverage on CNBC and E! Lindsay Czarniak, Carolyn Manno and Kathryn Tappen will all take part in the USA Network coverage.

The Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics is Friday, July 26 on NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo.

Coverage on USA Network, CNBC, and E! is expected to include Team USA men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, and volleyball, as well as swimming, gymnastics, and track & field, and more.

“We are excited to have an experienced group of hosts to present the most compelling stories, news, and interviews as we take viewers from event to event throughout the Games,” said Rebecca Chatman, Vice President and Coordinating Producer, NBC Olympics Production in a release.

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