Tony Romo steps away from CBS Sports after OWI case as J.J. Watt remains lead NFL analyst for 2026

Tony Romo and CBS Sports have ended their nine year partnership, with the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback saying he will step away to focus on his health and family. CBS confirmed the decision on October 2, about two months after Romo was placed on leave following his July arrest for operating while intoxicated in Wisconsin. J.J. Watt will continue as CBS’s lead NFL analyst for the rest of the 2026 season.Tony Romo breaks silence after CBS Sports departureCBS Sports announced that it and Romo had “mutually agreed to part ways” after his long run with the network. Romo joined CBS in 2017 after retiring from the NFL and quickly became the network’s lead NFL game analyst alongside Jim Nantz. CBS thanked him for his work over the past nine years and wished him well.Romo also shared a statement about the decision, making it clear that he is not rushing into his next job.“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.He then explained what he plans to do now.“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.The statement comes after a difficult period for the former quarterback. Romo was arrested in Wisconsin on July 23 after a traffic stop and was later placed on leave by CBS Sports. He pleaded no contest to an operating while intoxicated charge on September 1.According to NFL.com, Romo received a six month suspension of his driving privileges, an alcohol assessment requirement and an $834 payment as part of the case.Tony Romo’s CBS Sports exit leaves J.J. Watt in lead boothRomo’s departure also settles who will handle CBS’s top NFL broadcast team for the rest of this season. J.J. Watt, who had already stepped into Romo’s place, will remain alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson. CBS confirmed that the other broadcast teams will stay unchanged.Watt originally took over after CBS put Romo on leave in July. At that point, the network had said Romo would remain away from his role until further notice.Romo’s exit also brings an end to one of the longest-running pairings in the NFL broadcast world. He and Nantz worked together from Romo’s first CBS season in 2017, with Romo becoming known for breaking down plays before they happened and explaining his reads during live games.For Romo, however, the next step is not another broadcast job right away. His own statement points to a break first, with health and family taking priority before he considers what comes next. Reuters also reported that Romo connected his struggles with alcohol to chronic pain from injuries suffered during his NFL career.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.