Tony Romo, CBS Sports part ways after DWI arrest
Tony Romo will not return as an NFL game analyst for CBS Sports, the network announced Friday, ending a nine-year run that unraveled after his July DWI arrest. The split comes with J.J. Watt already entrenched in the booth as Romo’s replacement.
The main development: a mutual split announced Friday
“CBS Sports and Tony Romo have mutually agreed to part ways,” the network said in a statement reported by ESPN. “We thank Tony for his contributions over the past nine years and wish him the best.”CBS Sports and Tony Romo have mutually agreed to part ways,” the network said in a statement reported by ESPN. “We thank Tony for his contributions over the past nine years and wish him the best moving forward.”
Police stopped Romo during a traffic check in Milwaukee on July 23. Court records cited by ESPN showed an arresting officer detected a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage” on Romo’s breath, and the former quarterback performed poorly on field sobriety tests before being taken into custody and later released.
On Sept. 1, Romo entered a no-contest plea. The court revoked his driving privileges for six months, required him to install an ignition interlock device on any vehicle he owns, registers or operates, ordered him to complete an alcohol assessment program and imposed a $784 fine, according to ESPN.
Romo addressed his exit in a 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.
“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 DWI arrest opens path for J.J. Watt
CBS confirmed J.J. Watt will continue as the network’s lead analyst, a role he took over when Romo was placed on leave ahead of the 2026 season. Watt has paired with Jim Nantz on CBS’s top NFL broadcasting team through the first month of the season, including the Baltimore Ravens-Dallas Cowboys game in Brazil.
Reaction to Watt’s early work has been mixed. Sports media critic Bryan Curtis said Watt “sees the field really well” and is “good enough to hold onto this job” but still has work to do matching Romo’s feel for television, according to Yahoo Sports. Broadcaster Dan Patrick told Chris “Mad Dog” Russo he would not bring Romo back even if the option existed, arguing Romo’s preparation slipped the further he moved from his playing days.
Context: a decorated career on and off the field
Romo, 46, spent his entire NFL playing career with the Cowboys from 2004 to 2016 and made four Pro Bowl appearances. He joined CBS Sports’ broadcast booth afterward and became one of the network’s most prominent NFL voices over nine years, working alongside Nantz as the top analyst until his offseason legal trouble.
What’s next
CBS has not named a long-term successor beyond Watt, who is expected to continue in the lead analyst chair as the 2026 season progresses. Romo said he plans to take time off to focus on his health and family before considering his next opportunity, with no timetable given for a return to broadcasting or any other role.
Reporting from ESPN, Yahoo Sports and Freep contributed to this story.