The CBS booth is looking a whole lot different this season, and Jim Nantz isn’t holding back on why. The veteran play-by-play man revealed on “The Traina Thoughts Podcast” Wednesday that J.J. Watt’s arrival as the new lead analyst has pushed Nantz himself back into a “more traditional” play-by-play role, a big shift from how he’s worked in the past. This isn’t just a minor tweak, folks, this is a top broadcast team fundamentally changing its dynamic right before our eyes.
Romo’s Exit and Watt’s Meteoric Rise to the Top Booth
So, how did we even get here? Well, earlier in October, CBS officially moved on from Tony Romo as Nantz’s lead analyst. The network made the move after Romo’s OWI arrest three months prior. Watt, fresh off his own legendary playing career and inducted into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame on Tuesday, stepped in for Romo to start the season. When CBS then officially severed ties with the former Cowboys quarterback, Watt quickly became the new No. 1 guy right next to Nantz.
Nantz, for his part, still believes Romo has a future in the business. On the podcast, he said Romo “unquestionably, he will work again” in television, either as a studio analyst or back in the booth potentially at another network. Nantz even praised Romo saying, “He’s got a lot of talent, and he’s got a lot of people who like him. He’s a star and he’s got a personality that is different and that’s a good thing. He’s a bigger than life personality.” It sounds like there’s no bad blood, but the show, as they say, must go on.
Watt’s Unrivaled Prep Blew Nantz Away, Sparking a Booth Revolution
While Nantz made it clear he wasn’t interested in comparison games, the conversation quickly shifted to Watt’s impact. The level of preparation Watt brings to the booth is simply astounding to Nantz. “He’s done maybe 22 games now in his career. It’s not a ton, and you would not know that standing next to him on a Sunday,” Nantz said. He elaborated, “Again, no comparisons here. This is just J.J. on his own. His preparation is so much like a guy that is preparing for an actual game to play in it. It’s astounding to see the level of detail that he gets into and that he shares.”
Nantz actually knew Watt from their shared Houston ties, including Nantz’s time on the University of Houston golf team, and admired Watt’s community work, like after Hurricane Harvey, which led to Watt’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. But working with him on this level? “Until you’re working with someone at the level that we’re working at, the constant communication, I mean, I’m really blown away. I really am,” Nantz confessed.
This intense preparation and distinct persona led directly to Nantz changing his own approach. He explained that due to Romo’s broadcasting style being tailored to his “big kid” persona which “needed room,” it made “a different demand on the play-by-play role” for Nantz. Now with Watt, Nantz said, “Stylistically, I’m now back to pretty much what you would call a play-by-play role. More so, more traditional.” This isn’t just about Watt stepping in; it’s about Watt fundamentally altering the rhythm of a legendary broadcast.
Hitting Their Stride: From Rio to Sunday Afternoons
With Romo’s departure and suspension, Nantz and Watt had to build their chemistry on the fly in front of millions of viewers. Nantz pinpointed their September trip to Rio de Janeiro for a Dallas Cowboys versus Baltimore Ravens matchup as a turning point. It sounds like that trip, which even included a memorable Brazilian steakhouse lunch, helped them find their groove.
The early returns on the Nantz-Watt pairing are fascinating. With Nantz embracing a more traditional role, we’re watching a legendary announcer adapt to a new partner whose preparation rivals his playing days. How this dynamic evolves throughout the season, and how Watt continues to hone his craft, will be a must-watch every Sunday.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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