Tony Romo made his first media appearance since the July arrest that led to the end of his time as the lead NFL analyst for CBS Sports.
During the second quarter of the Week 9 "Monday Night Football" game between the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills, Romo joined the alternative broadcast on ESPN2 spearheaded by Pat McAfee.
"I'm doing good," Romo said.
Tony Romo found his way back onto an NFL broadcast pic.twitter.com/Gpu3vBrYRg
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) November 10, 2026
The conversation started with some banter and praise surrounding ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky. McAfee asked the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback what he was seeing from the matchup, which featured a struggling Carson Wentz for Minnesota.
"This is going to be a defensive battle," Romo replied. "Eventually,
the dam will break at some point. What you have to do against the Vikings is very difficult. Now Josh Allen and the Bills are very rare. They're actually as good as anybody at getting the protection set before the (snap)."
Romo joined early in the second quarter and left with about nine minutes left, at 8:44, until halftime. He pulled out a party trick and a joke by mimicking a pre-snap cadence.
"White eighty! Get the ball to Jefferson!" he said.
"We miss the hell out of you this season," a fawning McAfee said before shepherding Romo off the show.
You're the man @tonyromo..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 10, 2026
Thanks for joining us #PMSMNFonESPN2 pic.twitter.com/YmIf3YZdQH
Romo was arrested July 23 in Wisconsin and later charged with three counts related to operating a vehicle while intoxicated, including having an open container while driving. He failed a field sobriety test and the body camera footage from the arrest did not paint Romo in an especially flattering light.
CBS put Romo on leave following the arrest and ultimately announced that it parted ways with him Oct. 2. Romo had been the network's top game analyst since 2017 when he went straight from playing to the broadcast booth. He was owed $72 million and details of any settlement remain unknown.
CBS, now under the Skydance umbrella following the merger with parent company Paramount, elevated JJ Watt into Romo's role – first on an interim and then on a permanent basis. He and play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz will be on the call for Super Bowl 62 in 2028.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tony Romo makes first appearance since OWI arrest on Pat McAfee’s ‘MNF’ alt-cast
