CBS, Tony Romo Part Ways Following Analyst’s Summer OWI Arrest

CBS Sports and lead NFL game analyst Tony Romo have mutually agreed to part ways, ending his nine-year tenure at the network, CBS announced Friday.

The move follows Romo’s arrest on July 23 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI). Romo pleaded no contest on September 1, resulting in a six-month driver’s license revocation, an ignition interlock mandate, and an order to complete an alcohol assessment program.

The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback subsequently shared that he had developed a dependency on alcohol while attempting to wean himself off pain medications following multiple back surgeries during his playing career.

The Contract Settlement

Romo was entering the sixth year of a 10-year, $180 million contract extension signed in 2020. The separation leaves four years and $72 million remaining on the original deal.

While the exact terms of the buyout were not disclosed, sources indicate that the network and Romo reached a financial settlement prior to Friday’s announcement, with Romo expected to retain a significant portion of the remaining money.

A New Era in the Broadcast Booth

Former NFL defensive lineman J.J. Watt, who has filled in as the interim lead game analyst since Romo was placed on indefinite leave in late July, has been named the permanent replacement. Watt will permanently anchor CBS’s top broadcast booth for the remainder of the 2026 NFL season, working alongside play-by-play veteran Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson.

Looking Ahead

In a statement released through the network, Romo expressed deep gratitude for his broadcasting career and indicated his immediate focus will shift entirely toward personal well-being.

“I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished at CBS,” Romo said. “At this time, I am going to take an extended break from television to focus on my health and my family before evaluating my next steps.”