CBS and Romo End Their Nine-Year Partnership
Tony Romo will no longer be part of CBS Sports’ NFL broadcast team after the network and the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback mutually agreed to part ways Friday. The decision ends Romo’s nine-year run as one of the most recognizable voices in NFL television coverage. CBS thanked Romo for his contributions and said J.J. Watt will continue alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson on the network’s lead crew for the rest of the 2026 season.
The July Arrest Changed His CBS Future
The move follows Romo’s July 23 arrest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on suspicion of operating while intoxicated. According to authorities, Romo was stopped on Interstate 43 after officers said they saw him making an unsafe pass. Police reported signs of possible impairment during the traffic stop, and Romo was later taken into custody.
CBS placed Romo on leave on July 31, saying he would remain away from his broadcasting duties until further notice. At the time, the network did not provide a timetable for his return, leaving his role alongside Nantz uncertain as the NFL season approached.
Romo Later Pleaded No Contest
The legal situation moved forward in September when Romo pleaded no contest to the OWI charge. Additional citations connected to the incident included allegations involving unsafe passing and an open intoxicant. The case kept attention focused on Romo even as CBS began its season without him in the booth.
Romo later accepted responsibility for his actions and said he planned to step away from work for a period. In a statement released after the CBS decision, he said he wanted to focus on his health and family before considering his next professional opportunity.
J.J. Watt Takes Over the Lead Booth
J.J. Watt had already stepped into Romo’s position after the former quarterback was placed on leave. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year will now remain with Nantz and Wolfson for the rest of the season, making the temporary arrangement CBS had used at the start of the year its new plan for the 2026 campaign.
Watt joined CBS Sports in 2023 and had previously worked with Ian Eagle. His move into the top booth gives CBS continuity during a season that has already seen a major change to its NFL presentation.
A Major Chapter in Romo’s TV Career Closes
Romo joined CBS for the 2017 NFL season after ending his 13-year playing career with the Cowboys. His quick breakdowns, predictions and energetic style helped make him a prominent figure in NFL broadcasting, and he became Nantz’s regular partner on CBS’s lead game crew.
His departure now leaves the future of his broadcasting career open. Romo said he intends to take a break before deciding what comes next, while CBS has confirmed that Watt will handle the lead analyst role for the remainder of the current season.
FAQ
Why did Tony Romo leave CBS Sports?
CBS Sports and Romo mutually agreed to part ways after he had been placed on leave following his July OWI arrest in Wisconsin.
Who replaced Tony Romo at CBS?
J.J. Watt is continuing as the lead NFL analyst alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson for the rest of the 2026 season.
How long was Tony Romo with CBS Sports?
Romo worked as a CBS Sports NFL analyst for nine years, beginning with the 2017 NFL season.
