What Happened to Christopher David Simms?

Christopher David Simms, born August 29, 1980, established himself as a notable figure in American football, first as a player and then as a prominent analyst. His journey began at Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, where he was named the 1998 USA Today National Offensive Player of the Year. He then played college football for the Texas Longhorns from 1999 to 2002, where he set several school records, including career completion percentage and pass efficiency rating.

Simms was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft, with expectations of becoming a successor to Brad Johnson. He played for the Buccaneers until 2007, notably guiding them to an NFC South Championship in 2005 during his playoff debut. His playing career also included stints with the Tennessee Titans (2008, 2010) and the Denver Broncos (2009). A significant turning point in his playing career was a life-threatening injury he sustained in 2006 while with the Buccaneers.

After retiring from playing, Simms briefly ventured into coaching, serving as a coaching assistant for the New England Patriots in 2012, focusing on offensive quality control and scouting reports. His transition to media began in 2013 as a commentator for Fox Sports' college football coverage, followed by a role as an NFL analyst for Bleacher Report in February 2014. From 2014 to 2016, he worked as a color commentator for the NFL on CBS, often alongside his father, Phil Simms.

Simms joined NBC Sports in 2016, initially on a part-time basis, and became a full-time employee in March 2019. At NBC, he expanded his portfolio significantly, becoming an analyst for "Football Night in America," contributing to Notre Dame football coverage, and co-hosting "ProFootballTalk Live" with Mike Florio. He also launched and hosts the popular podcast "Chris Simms Unbuttoned," which produces daily NFL and college football content. In 2021, he began co-hosting Peacock's "Sunday Night Football Final," and in October 2022, he started appearing on a new NFL streaming show on Peacock after "Sunday Night Football."

The most recent significant development in Simms' career occurred on April 27, 2026, when he announced his departure from NBC's "Football Night in America." This change came as NBC restructured its NFL pregame show, including the addition of former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin as an analyst. Despite this departure, Simms confirmed that he will continue his other roles with NBC Sports, including co-hosting "ProFootballTalk Live," analyzing Notre Dame football, and producing his "Chris Simms Unbuttoned" podcast. He continues to be an active voice in NFL draft analysis, releasing his 2026 NFL Mock Draft and position rankings in March and April 2026.