The Tony Romo era at CBS Sports has ended.
The network and its former top NFL game analyst, who had been with CBS since leaving his playing days with the Dallas Cowboys, have "mutually agreed to part ways."
"We thank Tony for his contributions over the last nine years and wish him the best moving forward," CBS said in a statement on Friday, Oct. 2.
With plenty of name recognition, Romo made the jump from the huddle as the Cowboys' quarterback to the broadcast booth in 2017 and was immediately placed on CBS' No. 1 NFL team, taking the spot of former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms.
Tony Romo's arrest after golf event
Romo was arrested and pleaded no contest to three charges related
to an operating a vehicle while intoxicated incident in Wisconsin in July. He was placed on indefinite leave shortly thereafter.
JJ Watt, who had been named Romo's replacement on an interim basis, will finish the season in the top booth alongside Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Tracy Wolfson (sideline reporter).
Romo was arrested following a golf outing July 23 and was charged with unsafe passing on the right, possessing open intoxicants and operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI). Police bodycam footage that was released following the arrest went viral.
Tony Romo statement
“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," Romo said in a statement. "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.”
Romo, 46, broke onto the broadcasting scene with a flash in 2017, as his excitement and knowledge of defenses around the league – having just faced them as a player – was a fresh perspective. He quickly became arguably the most sought-after broadcaster in the business for a time, until his act wore thin with many viewers and his ability to predict the next play waned.
Tony Romo contract
Before that, though, Romo and CBS agreed to a lucrative 10-year, $180 million deal in early 2020 that reset the color commentator market. Romo had four years and approximately $72 million on that contract left.
On Aug. 11, CBS Sports president David Berson said the network put Romo on leave and promoted Watt to start the season in order to provide stability with the season rapidly approaching.
“We have to consider the impact on our image and on our brand,” Berson said.
CBS does not have the upcoming Super Bowl in 2027 but is slated to air the game in 2028.
JJ Watt takes over for Tony Romo
This is only Watt's second season calling games, as he originally started his media career on CBS' iconic Sunday studio show, "The NFL Today." Watt partnered with Ian Eagle in 2025 and the duo received rave reviews, prompting Berson to give Watt a crack at the top job.
“It’s not the circumstances you want something like this to happen under,” Watt told USA TODAY Sports in August. “But at the same time, it’s an opportunity for me to work with this incredible lead crew and ... have an opportunity to be on the best crew and the best games.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: After arrest following golf tournament, Tony Romo out as CBS broadcaster
