It sounds like Tony Romo may never return to CBS.
As OutKick reported last week, Romo’s OWI arrest put his future in jeopardy beyond the initial indefinite suspension.
Even before his arrest, there were doubts about whether CBS would keep Romo as its lead NFL analyst beyond this season, especially with the network set to air the Super Bowl in 2028.
Romo’s stock has also fallen considerably over the past three seasons, with critics pointing to his lack of preparation, goofy antics, and increasingly forced banter with Jim Nantz.
According to Puck News, Romo’s arrest could expedite his departure. The outlet reported on Thursday that the consensus around the sports media industry is that “Romo won’t be back.”
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CBS Sports play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz (left), analyst Tony Romo (center) and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson at press conference at the Super Bowl LVIII Media Center at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Feb. 6, 2024. (Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports)
CBS could also invoke a morals clause to fire Romo for cause over the arrest video. However, Romo is owed 18 million a year through 2030. Therefore, his legal team would almost certainly fight any attempt to void the deal.
Either way, CBS does not have to put Romo back on the air.
Romo’s exit would open up one of the biggest jobs in sports media: calling games alongside Jim Nantz. J.J. Watt will replace Romo this season after a promising year in the booth. If Watt works well with Nantz, CBS would have every reason to consider keeping him there full-time.
J.J. Watt at Super Bowl LVIII. (Mary Kouw/CBS via Getty Images)
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The Ellison-owned CBS also has deep pockets and could go after a bigger name ahead of the Super Bowl next season.
Troy Aikman, Kirk Herbstreit, and Greg Olsen all have contracts that expire after this season. Expect CBS to consider each of them.
Aikman is the most intriguing option and arguably the best NFL color commentator in the industry. That said, it would likely take around $25 million a year for CBS to poach Aikman away from ESPN.
Olsen is currently the No. 2 analyst at Fox, but possesses the talent to be a No. 1.
Herbstreit is more of a long shot. While he is Amazon’s top NFL analyst, he is still best known for his work on ESPN’s College GameDay and college football coverage. CBS no longer has the college football inventory to match that.
ESPN “College GameDay” analyst Kirk Herbstreit speaks before the Miami Hurricanes versus Ole Miss Rebels College Football Playoff Semifinal at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 8, 2026 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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As for Romo, it’s hard to imagine another network wanting him in the booth, even with more streamers adding NFL games to their lineups.