'The NFL Today' undergoes massive shakeup, bringing in Falcons legend for two program stalwarts

Recently retired Atlanta Falcons legend Matt Ryan is joining CBS' "The NFL Today," while a pair of fellow former quarterbacks and program stalwarts are leaving the pregame show.

Boomer Esiason also announced on Monday that he'd signed an extension with WFAN to continue his top-rated morning show with Gregg Giannotti.

Ryan was selected by the Falcons with the third overall pick in 2008 and spent 14 seasons with the franchise. He won both the 2016 MVP and AP Offensive Player of the Year awards and made four Pro Bowls while leading Atlanta to one Super Bowl appearance.

Ryan was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in March 2022 and had a tough lone season with the AFC South club.

"Matty Ice" was released by the Colts in March 2023 and joined CBS Sports as an NFL analyst last season. The 38-year-old Ryan officially retired on April 22.

Esiason played from 1984-1997, spending 10 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, made four Pro Bowls and was the 1988 MVP. The lefty joined "The NFL Today" for the 2002 campaign.

Phil Simms spent his entire 15-year career with the New York Giants from 1979-1993, earning two Pro Bowl nods and winning two Super Bowls. Simms earned Super Bowl XXI MVP honors when the Giants defeated the Denver Broncos in 1987.

Simms joined Esiason, James Brown, Nate Burleson, Jason La Canfora and Bill Cowher on the panel of the CBS pregame program in 2017.

Per Andrew Marchand of The Athletic, Ryan will join Brown, Burleson and Cowher on "The NFL Today" for the 2024 season, with former three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt appearing part-time.