CBS Sports officially confirmed on Friday that Tony Romo will not be returning to the network. The decision comes after Romo was placed on indefinite leave in July following charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
In a statement, the network indicated, "CBS Sports and Tony Romo have mutually agreed to part ways. We thank Tony for his contributions over the past nine years and wish him the best moving forward." Industry observers had not anticipated Romo's return, suggesting that the incident accelerated a decision CBS was already contemplating regarding his role.
With CBS set to broadcast its next Super Bowl in 2028 under David Ellison-backed Skydance ownership, the company reportedly had reservations about entering another Super Bowl cycle with Romo as Jim Nantz's primary analyst. Over recent seasons, Romo's performance had drawn considerable criticism from both fans and media.
A notable low point occurred during Super Bowl LVIII, where Romo's call of Patrick Mahomes' game-winning touchdown pass in overtime was widely perceived as a misstep, symbolizing what many viewed as a decline in his commentary.
The central question now revolves around who will permanently succeed Romo. Given that the NFL is reportedly acquiring an equity stake in CBS, the network is expected to remain a crucial broadcast partner for the league for years to come.
For the interim, CBS has stated that future Hall of Famer J.J. Watt will continue as Jim Nantz's color analyst. Watt was promoted from the network's No. 2 broadcast team to the lead position after Romo's suspension. While reviews of Watt's performance have varied, many have praised his initial contributions.
However, whether Watt retains the role through the upcoming season and into the Super Bowl broadcast may depend less on his on-air performance and more on the availability of other prominent broadcasting talents.
Leading Candidates Emerge
The contracts for both ESPN's Troy Aikman and a prominent analyst from another major network, Greg Olsen, are set to expire after the Super Bowl in February. Aikman is scheduled to call that event alongside Joe Buck for ESPN/ABC.
In a development that has surprised many within the broadcast industry, ESPN and Aikman have yet to finalize a contract extension, despite the network having recently completed a new agreement with Buck.
Aikman continues to be widely regarded as the premier game analyst in the NFL. With robust ownership backing and a Super Bowl broadcast on the horizon, CBS could make a strong push to secure his services. Signing Aikman would likely necessitate an annual contract exceeding $25 million.
Olsen also presents a highly appealing option. At 41 years old, he already possesses Super Bowl experience, having called Super Bowl LVII for his former network alongside Kevin Burkhardt before being succeeded by Tom Brady as the lead analyst.
Chemistry and Competition
J.J. Watt holds one significant advantage in the current situation: a full season of established chemistry with play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz.
A primary consideration regarding Aikman would be how quickly he could forge a similar rapport with a play-by-play partner other than Buck, with whom he has worked for over two decades. While he would likely adapt effectively, this element of uncertainty could potentially benefit Watt.
In contrast, Olsen has a track record of successfully collaborating with multiple play-by-play partners throughout his broadcasting career, consistently building chemistry with each. Furthermore, ESPN could emerge as a logical destination for Olsen if the network ultimately fails to re-sign Aikman.
Should neither Aikman nor Olsen secure positions with ESPN or CBS, streaming giant Netflix could become a strong contender as it continues to expand its NFL content portfolio. Meanwhile, Amazon has reportedly reached a new agreement to retain Kirk Herbstreit as its lead NFL color analyst.
