Who is Chris Simms? NFL Career of the QB-turned-analyst explored

Chris Simms is a household name in the NFL, as the former quarterback is an analyst across numerous NBC Sports programs and platforms. Simms has been in and around the league since he was selected in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft.

He might not have been the best QB prospect in his era, as they were better QBs than him, but he was a decent backup. Simms played only five seasons throughout his career and was a backup in all but one of them.

Chris Simms was born in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, and it was there that his love for football began. Simms started playing organized football in Ramapo, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, where he shone as a prospect.

Simms won many awards in high school, the chief of which was the 1998 USA Today National Offensive Player. Thus, he got a slew of D1 college offers, eventually choosing to attend the University of Texas.

Simms' time with the University of Texas was an interesting one, to say the least. First, he was in the thick of a quarterback battle with Major Applewhite for most of his stay. That meant Simms didn't play as many snaps as he wished throughout college but didn't cave into the pressure of transferring. Also, there was this little problem of folding under pressure.

This was evident in the 2001 Big 12 Championship Game, which saw him claim responsibility for four turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble). At the end of his college career, he had a 26–6 record, which is second only to Texas legend Bobby Layne.

Chris Simms' NFL career

After getting picked in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chris Simms assumed the role of QB3 in a stacked QB room. As such, he spent his entire debut season without playing a solitary snap.

The rest of his time in Tampa was much more productive, as Simms carved out a niche as a relief QB. He helped lead the Bucs to many last play-winning drives, giving him cult hero status amongst the Bucs' fateful.

He eventually left the Bucs in 2008, moving to the Tennessee Titans, who needed a short-term replacement for the injured Vince Young. He did what he was asked to do; Simms was a backup and didn't play a single snap for the Titans. He was released at the end of the 2008 NFL season.

Following his largely unsuccessful stay with the Titans, Simms played for two more NFL franchises before calling it a day. The franchises are the Denver Broncos and the Tennessee Titans. He closed out his career with a stat line of 297 passes for 3,117 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.

He was hired as a coaching assistant by the New England Patriots in 2012. His roles included both offensive and defensive coaching. He also did some work compiling scouting reports for the Patriots. However, Chris Simms left his position with the Patriots for a gig at NBC Sports, and he hasn't looked back since.