How J.J. Watt went from CBS backup plan to the biggest threat to Tony Romo’s $180 million NFL TV future
Tony Romo’s future at CBS suddenly looks far less predictable than it did a few weeks ago. The former Cowboys quarterback has not lost his job, but CBS has also not promised that he will return to the network’s No. 1 NFL booth.What has changed is the way the network is operating without him. J.J. Watt is no longer viewed as a temporary fill-in. CBS has moved him into its premier broadcast team with Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson, and the network is preparing for the 2026 season as if that trio will carry its biggest games.
CBS has already begun building a new broadcast structure without Tony Romo
The most important update came on August 11 during CBS Sports’ annual NFL media event in New York. CBS Sports president David Berson addressed Romo’s status after the network placed him on indefinite leave following his July arrest in Wisconsin on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.Berson did not offer a return date, and he stopped short of giving any assurance that Romo would reclaim his role.“It’s an evolving situation, and therefore we’re still assessing,” Berson said during the media event. “There is no timetable or final decision at this time.”He also made it clear that CBS is weighing business considerations alongside the legal process.“We have to consider the impact on our image and our brand,” Berson said.Those comments matter because they show that this is not simply a case of waiting for a court date. CBS is preparing production schedules, marketing campaigns, and its entire NFL presentation around a lead broadcast team that currently does not include Romo.The network has already reshuffled the rest of the lineup as well. Watt moved from the No. 2 team to the No. 1 booth. Ross Tucker then stepped into Watt’s former spot alongside Ian Eagle and Evan Washburn. That new trio is scheduled to make its television debut on September 13 when the Green Bay Packers visit the Minnesota Vikings.The broader restructuring suggests that CBS is planning for an extended period without Romo rather than treating the situation as a week-to-week absence.Romo’s contract makes the stakes enormous. He signed a 10-year, $180 million deal in 2020, and four years remain on that agreement. He remains one of the highest-paid NFL analysts in sports television. Industry observers have discussed the possibility of a morality-clause review, although CBS has not publicly addressed any contract questions.The legal timeline also remains active. Romo is scheduled to appear in a Wisconsin court on September 21.
J.J. Watt has turned a temporary opening into a legitimate long-term audition
While Romo’s status remains unresolved, J.J. Watt has received the biggest opportunity of his broadcasting career. CBS confirmed that he will work with Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson on the lead team, and the trio is already deep into preparation for the regular season.Berson expressed strong confidence in the new booth.“J.J. Watt will join Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson as our lead team in Tony’s absence. They’re already knee-deep in planning, and I have every confidence they’ll be great,” he said during the media event.Watt’s rise has been remarkably fast. He joined CBS in 2023 as a studio analyst on The NFL Today. In 2025, he moved to the No. 2 game team. Now he has reached the network’s most valuable broadcast position much sooner than most expected.That is what changes Romo’s chances of winning back the top role. If Watt develops strong chemistry with Nantz, brings fresh energy to the broadcasts, and connects with viewers during the opening weeks of the season, CBS will have a credible long-term alternative already in place.Romo transformed NFL television when he arrived in 2017 with his enthusiastic style and his ability to predict plays before they happened. But for the first time since he became CBS’s lead analyst, the network is actively building and promoting a different vision for its No. 1 booth.
