Tony Romo just got hit with indefinite leave from CBS, and the broadcasting world is buzzing. It all went down after Romo issued a statement online, straight up taking responsibility for what he called his “failures” that led to his network exit. This isn’t some quiet departure, either; the guy pleaded “no contest to a civil offense for OWI in Wisconsin” on Tuesday, making it a public deal. Romo had been a staple for CBS’s NFL coverage since way back in 2017, basically stepping right from his 13 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys into the lead game analyst chair.
Watt Takes the Mic as Lead Analyst
So, with Romo out, what happens to the top NFL broadcast team? CBS Sports isn’t wasting any time, pulling a power move by elevating J.J. Watt to the lead broadcast team. Watt is now set to join the legendary play-by-play voice, Jim Nantz, and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson for the start of the 2026 NFL season. This is a big jump for Watt, who only joined CBS as a studio analyst in 2023 before getting promoted to the No. 2 broadcast crew last season. His first big gig with Nantz is already lined up for September 13, covering the Green Bay Packers-Minnesota Vikings matchup. Talk about a quick turnaround.
Romo’s Broadcast Legacy Cut Short
It’s a wild twist for Romo, whose broadcasting career took off almost immediately after he hung up his cleats in April 2017. He signed with CBS and became the lead analyst, quickly making a name for himself. By his second season in the booth, he was calling Super Bowl 53, a game where the New England Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. That was a pretty iconic moment, marking Tom Brady’s final championship with that franchise. Romo went on to call three Super Bowls, including Brady’s last win in 2020 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the second showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers in February 2024. Now, his run is on indefinite hold.
It’s going to be fascinating to see how J.J. Watt handles the top spot with Nantz this upcoming season, kicking off with the Packers-Vikings game. The broadcast world just got a whole lot more interesting, and we’re all watching to see how this new-look team performs.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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