James Brown misses Phil Simms and Boomer Esiason on ‘NFL Today’ after major shakeup

James Brown misses 2 longtime faces of nan “NFL Today” table.

During a caller quality on nan “SI Media pinch Jimmy Traina” podcast, Brown — an 18-year seasoned connected nan CBS programme — lamented astir pals Phil Simms and Boomer Esiason, who exited “NFL Today” arsenic portion of a awesome shakeup earlier this year.

“Flat out, yes, [I miss them],” Brown, 73, said. “Boomer and Phil were integral successful position of what we person done and nan relationships we had [at ‘NFL Today’].”

Simms, 68, and Esiason, 63, announced their departures from CBS successful April, months aft The Post reported that a shakeup could beryllium connected nan horizon.

Former Texans protect extremity J.J. Watt, 35, and ex-Falcons backmost Matt Ryan, 39, joined nan sheet of Brown, Bill Cowher and Nate Burleson.

Esiason, who had been an expert pinch nan CBS programme since 2002, said of nan web astatine nan time, “More their determination than possibly mine.”

Simms, a Super Bowl-winning backmost pinch nan Giants, had been portion of nan programme since 2017.

“Nobody worked harder than Phil Simms successful knowing each nan Xs and Os, he’s a gym rat successful that regard,” Brown told Sports Illustrated. “Boomer Esiason could talk [about] immoderate facet of it, because he’s well-rounded connected sports successful general. [He] Brought a batch of value.”

As difficult arsenic nan determination was, Brown credited web executives for nan measurement nan matter was handled.

“[I’ve got] to springiness CBS a extremity of nan hat,” he said. “How galore teams person you seen pinch immoderate veterans who performed well, but astatine immoderate constituent … you’ve sewage nan young talent that you’re bringing in.”

Brown, who expressed “sadness” complete Simms’ and Esiason’s exits successful May, did laud Watt and Ryan complete nickname for whose shoes they’re filling.

“To their credit, J.J. Watt and Matt Ryan admit that, and we person acknowledged that, astatine slightest successful nan first mates weeks of nan show,” Brown said, according to Awful Announcing. “But we each cognize we’re location to do a occupation and present what activity wanted to get retired of this move and present what they were expecting.”

Simms and Esiason are keeping engaged elsewhere.

Esiason hosts New York’s beloved “Boomer and Gio” sports power show connected WFAN and Simms joined Fox for Giants’ preseason shot coverage. He besides hosts a podcast pinch his son, erstwhile NFL backmost Matt Simms.