When you see Chris Simms on your screen nowadays, usually breaking down tape or ranking the next generation of quarterbacks, he looks like a big dude. There is a reason for that. He is. Most people watching Pro Football Talk or his own podcast probably wonder exactly what the tape said back when he was actually taking snaps under center.
So, how tall is Chris Simms?
Basically, Chris Simms stands 6 feet 4 inches tall.
To be super precise, his official NFL Combine measurement was 6 feet 4 and 3/8 inches. In the world of football, that’s almost exactly what you want in a pocket passer. Honestly, if you were building a quarterback in a lab in the early 2000s, you’d probably give him those exact specs. He weighed in at 220 pounds during that same Combine session in 2003, though he played much of his career closer to 230 pounds.
Why 6'4" was the "Magic Number" for Simms
Back when Simms was coming out of the University of Texas, height was everything. This was before the era of Russell Wilson or Kyler Murray proving that "short" guys could dominate. Scouts were obsessed with "seeing over the line."
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Simms had that prototypical frame. Being 6'4" gave him a high release point, which is probably why he didn't have as many passes batted down at the line as some of his smaller peers—at least until he hit a rough patch in 2006.
He wasn't just tall; he was sturdy. You've probably heard the story of his 2006 game against the Carolina Panthers. He played through a ruptured spleen. Think about that. Most guys would be on the turf, but Simms used every bit of that 230-pound frame to stay upright long enough to lead a scoring drive before his body literally gave out. That kind of toughness is a lot easier to pack onto a 6'4" frame than a 5'10" one.
Comparing Simms to the rest of the QB room
If you look at the guys he was competing with or the peers of his era, he was right in the sweet spot.
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- Phil Simms (His Dad): Standing 6'3", Chris actually edged out his Super Bowl MVP father by about an inch.
- Matt Simms (His Brother): Also roughly 6'3", keeping the family tradition of "big jersey" sizes alive.
- Tom Brady: The gold standard of that era was 6'4".
- Peyton Manning: Just a hair taller at 6'5".
Being in the 89th percentile for height among quarterbacks (according to MockDraftable's historical data) meant he never had to deal with the "he's too small" narrative that plagues so many prospects today.
The Combine Numbers Don't Lie
When Chris went to the Combine in 2003, his measurements were scrutinized more than most. He was the son of a legend. He had the "it" factor. Here is the raw data from that week in Indianapolis:
Height: 6' 4 3/8"
Weight: 220 lbs
Arm Length: 32 3/4 inches
Hand Span: 10 1/2 inches (huge for grip and ball security)
40-Yard Dash: 4.86 seconds
That 10.5-inch hand measurement is actually more impressive than the height to some scouts. It meant he could palm the ball like a grapefruit, which helps immensely when you're trying to pump-fake or hold onto the rock while a 300-pound defensive end is stripping at your arms.
Does Height Help His Analysis Now?
It's kinda funny. Now that he's an analyst for NBC Sports, his height still plays a role. Have you ever noticed when he stands next to other hosts? He towers over a lot of the "talking heads." It gives him a certain presence.
But it also informs his "Simms' Top 40 QB Rankings." He often talks about "power arms" and "body twitch." Because he lived life as a 6'4" lefty with a big wind-up, he knows exactly what it's like to try and move that much mass in a collapsing pocket. He’s often harder on the "big, tall, statue" quarterbacks because he knows the limitations of that body type.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring QBs
If you're looking at Chris Simms as a blueprint for what an NFL quarterback looks like, here is what you should take away:
- Height isn't everything, but it's a floor: Being 6'4" gave Simms a margin for error in the pocket that smaller QBs don't have.
- Hand size matters more than you think: That 10.5-inch hand span is a massive advantage for controlling the ball in cold weather or under pressure.
- Weight fluctuates: While he was 220 lbs at the Combine, he bulked up to 230 lbs to handle the physical toll of the NFL. If you're tall, you have to fill out that frame or you'll get broken in half.
- Leverage the "Bird's Eye" view: If you are a taller player, use that vision. Simms was known for his ability to scan the whole field, a luxury afforded by his height.
Next time you see him on Sunday Night Football or ranking the 2026 draft class, you'll know exactly why he looks like he could still step into the huddle. He's got the size that simply doesn't go away.