Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is leaving CBS Sports after nine years with the network, bringing an end to his run as the lead analyst for CBS’ NFL coverage.
CBS Sports announced Friday that it and Romo had “mutually agreed to part ways.” The decision comes after Romo had been on leave from the network since his arrest in Wisconsin in July on an operating while intoxicated charge.
“We thank Tony for his contributions over the past nine years and wish him the best moving forward,” CBS Sports said in its statement.
Romo was arrested on July 23 following a traffic stop in Milwaukee. He subsequently pleaded no contest to charges stemming from the incident on September 1. His driving privileges were suspended for six months, and he was ordered to undergo an alcohol assessment.
Following his plea, Romo publicly addressed the incident and said he had struggled with alcohol following years of chronic pain related to injuries suffered during his NFL career. Romo underwent multiple back surgeries during his playing career and said his problems initially involved pain medication before developing into alcohol abuse. He also accepted responsibility for his actions.
Romo issued another statement Friday addressing his departure from CBS, saying he was proud of what he accomplished during his nine seasons with the network.
“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,” Romo said. He also thanked CBS Sports, his family, the NFL community and fans for their support.
Romo joined CBS Sports in 2017 immediately following his retirement from the NFL. Rather than beginning on a secondary broadcast team, CBS paired him with veteran play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz on its lead NFL broadcasts.
His ability to anticipate plays before they happened quickly became one of the defining elements of his early broadcasting career. CBS subsequently signed Romo to a reported 10-year, $180 million contract in 2020, at the time making him one of the highest-paid sports broadcasters in television.
Before moving into broadcasting, Romo spent his entire NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys. After joining the team as an undrafted free agent in 2003, he became Dallas’ starting quarterback during the 2006 season and went on to earn four Pro Bowl selections.
Romo had not appeared on a CBS NFL broadcast during the current season after the network placed him on indefinite leave following his arrest.
Former Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt has filled Romo’s position alongside Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson since the beginning of the season. CBS confirmed Friday that Watt will remain part of the network’s lead NFL broadcast team for the remainder of the 2026 season.
CBS said its other NFL broadcast teams will remain unchanged, including Ian Eagle, Ross Tucker and Evan Washburn.
Romo, 46, did not indicate what his next professional move might be, saying his immediate plans are to step away and concentrate on his health and family before considering another opportunity.
Source: Deadline