What To Know
- Tony Romo is leaving CBS Sports after nine years as lead NFL analyst.
- Romo had been on indefinite leave since his July arrest for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
- J.J. Watt has temporarily filled Romo’s analyst role.
Tony Romo is leaving CBS Sports after nine years as the network’s lead NFL analyst. CBS and Romo announced on Friday, October 2, that they had mutually agreed to part ways, with Romo saying he plans to take time away to focus on his health and family before considering his next opportunity.
“CBS Sports and Tony Romo have mutually agreed to part ways,” the network said in a statement to Variety. “We thank Tony for his contributions over the past nine years and wish him the best moving forward.”
The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback had been on indefinite leave since July 31, following his arrest in Milwaukee on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Romo pleaded no contest on September 1 to a first-offense OWI, a civil offense in Wisconsin.
He later described the incident as a “personal failure” and said multiple back surgeries and a previous dependence on pain medication had contributed to an over-reliance on alcohol.
Romo joined CBS after retiring from the NFL in 2017, replacing Phil Simms alongside Jim Nantz. He quickly became one of football’s most prominent broadcasters, earning praise for his ability to recognize and predict plays before they happened. According to The Wrap, CBS signed him to a long-term contract in 2020, reportedly worth about $17 million annually, then a record for a sports broadcaster.
Romo said in a statement to the press that he is “proud of what I accomplished at CBS Sports over the last nine years. I approached my role as a game analyst the way I’ve approached everything in my life–with a desire to win and be the best that I can be. I’m going to use this time to take a break, something I’ve never done before, and focus on my health and my family before moving on to my next opportunity. I am grateful for my time with CBS Sports and for the continued support of my family and friends, as well as the NFL community and fans.”
Tony Romo: “I’m proud of what I accomplished at CBS Sports over the last nine years. I approached my role as a game analyst the way I’ve approached everything in my life–with a desire to win and be the best that I can be. I’m going to use this time to take a break, something I’ve…
— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) October 2, 2026
J.J. Watt has filled Romo’s spot alongside Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson during his absence. CBS has not announced whether Watt will permanently take over the role.