The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have closed the book on the 2026 NFL Draft, meaning the majority of the upgrades to their roster have been made this offseason. The Bucs haven’t necessarily had a fantastic offseason, as they have lost some key pieces, but they have made an effort to reinforce the roster around star quarterback Baker Mayfield.
The latest in a long line of quarterbacks for Tampa Bay, Mayfield has managed to keep the team competitive in recent years. One guy who has kept close tabs on Mayfield and his former team is retired quarterback Chris Simms, who spent time with the Buccaneers from 2003 to 2006. Since calling it a career, Simms has enjoyed a successful sports media career, although he was dealt some tough news regarding his job status over the weekend.
Chris Simms No Longer a Part of ‘Football Night in America’
Simms was selected in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Bucs, which is where he spent the first four years of his career. After playing sparingly in his first two seasons, Simms started 10 games in 2005, throwing for 2,035 yards and 10 touchdowns during his time on the field. In 2006, Simms was the team’s Week 1 starter, but he struggled mightily, throwing for just 585 yards and one touchdown (along with seven interceptions) in three games of action.
In Week 3, Simms suffered a serious spleen injury that cost him the rest of the season, and he never truly got another opportunity on the field throughout the remainder of his career. Simms spent time with the Tennessee Titans and Denver Broncos before he eventually retired in 2011 after he failed to latch on with another team.
Since calling it a career, Simms has enjoyed a successful sports media career. Since 2019, he’s worked for NBC, appearing as an analyst on their popular “Football Night in America” program. With former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin recently being added to this crew, though, it was revealed that Simms was being cast aside in favor of the legendary leader.
“Chris Simms announced this morning that he is out at Football Night In America,” Richard Deitsch of Sports Business Journal shared in a post on X. “A source at NBC Sports confirms. Obviously NBC has changed up its NFL pregame show with the addition of Mike Tomlin.”
Chris Simms Still Has Several Gigs with NBC
GettyFormer Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms is no longer part of NBC’s Football Night in America
This is a tough blow for Simms, but he will still be very busy in 2026. Simms remains an analyst for NBC’s Notre Dame Fighting Irish coverage, and he will continue co-hosting “ProFootballTalk Live” alongside Mike Florio. Chances are, though, Simms will take on another project to make up for his lost spot on “Football Night in America.”
As for Simms’ former team, the Buccaneers will turn their attention towards their offseason program now that the majority of their roster is in place. Tampa Bay’s squad has a different feel to it heading into the new season, but with the NFC South division appearing to be wide open once again, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Bucs find their way back to the postseason next year.
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