Jim Nantz backs Tony Romo’s broadcasting future after CBS departure
· Yahoo Sports
Nantz backs Romo’s return to broadcasting after CBS split
Jim Nantz has shared his thoughts on Tony Romo’s broadcasting future following CBS Sports’ decision to part ways with the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback. Nantz expressed confidence that Romo would work in broadcasting again, although his next role remains uncertain.
Their nine-year partnership made them a familiar team for NFL fans, and Nantz has emphasized that their friendship extends beyond the booth. J.J. Watt will continue alongside Nantz on CBS’s lead NFL broadcast team for the rest of the 2026 season.
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monticello/DepositphotosCBS and Romo officially part ways
CBS Sports announced on October 2, 2026, that it and Tony Romo had mutually agreed to part ways. The announcement ended Romo’s nine-year tenure as the network’s lead NFL game analyst, a role he had held since 2017.
The decision followed Romo’s leave of absence after his July 23 arrest in Wisconsin on a charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. CBS thanked Romo for his contributions and wished him well, confirming that J.J. Watt would continue alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson on its lead NFL broadcast team for the rest of the 2026 season.
LyazaTretyakova/DepositphotosNantz says he had no role in the decision
Jim Nantz said he had no role in CBS Sports’ decision to part ways with Tony Romo. During an October 14, 2026, appearance on the Traina Thoughts podcast, Nantz emphasized that he was not involved in the network’s decision-making process.
Nantz said his first thought after learning of the separation was to make sure Romo was doing well. He approached the situation as Romo’s friend and expressed confidence that his former broadcast partner would move forward with support from his family.
Mojahid_Mottakin/DepositphotosThe pair worked together for nine seasons
Tony Romo joined CBS Sports in 2017 after retiring from the NFL and was immediately paired with Jim Nantz on the network’s lead NFL broadcast team. Their partnership lasted nine years before Romo’s 2026 leave of absence and departure from CBS.
During their time together, the pair called three Super Bowls as part of CBS’s national NFL coverage. Nantz has said that their professional separation has not ended their friendship, which began before they became broadcast partners.
lensanasrul/DepositphotosTheir friendship predates the CBS partnership
Nantz explained that his relationship with Romo began before they became broadcast partners. He recalled connecting with Romo through their shared interest in golf when Romo was still playing for the Dallas Cowboys.
Nantz described their friendship as lasting beyond their professional arrangement, saying they would remain friends. His remarks made clear that the end of their CBS partnership did not automatically mean the end of their personal relationship.
NeydtStock/DepositphotosRomo plans to take a break from work
In his statement following CBS Sports’ October 2 announcement, Tony Romo said he planned to take a break and focus on his health and family before moving on to his next opportunity. He also expressed pride in what he had accomplished during his nine years at CBS Sports.
Romo said he approached his broadcasting role with a desire to win and do his best. His statement marked the end of his tenure at CBS while leaving his next professional move undecided.
firebrand3/DepositphotosA July arrest preceded the network split
Tony Romo was arrested in Wisconsin on July 23, 2026, following a traffic stop on Interstate 43 near Milwaukee. He was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, and CBS later placed him on indefinite leave.
On September 1, 2026, Romo entered a no-contest plea to the charge. CBS announced on October 2 that it and Romo had mutually agreed to part ways, ending his nine-year tenure as the network’s lead NFL analyst.
Interesting fact: Jim Nantz began working for CBS Sports in 1985, years before he became one of the network’s leading NFL and golf broadcasters.
Mircea Moira/DepositphotosRomo addressed his personal challenges publicly
In a public statement following his operating-while-intoxicated case, Tony Romo discussed his struggles with chronic pain, pain medication and alcohol. He explained that multiple back surgeries had contributed to his reliance on pain medication before he began relying on alcohol.
Romo accepted responsibility for his actions and said he was focusing on his health and family. Jim Nantz later praised Romo’s openness and expressed confidence that his former broadcast partner would get through the difficult period.
Interesting fact: Tony Romo was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2021, becoming the first player from Eastern Illinois University to receive the honor.
opturadesign/DepositphotosJ.J. Watt remains alongside Nantz at CBS
Former Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is CBS Sports’ lead NFL game analyst alongside play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson. Watt filled in for Tony Romo during Romo’s leave of absence and remained in the role after CBS and Romo agreed to part ways on October 2, 2026.
CBS confirmed that Watt would continue with Nantz and Wolfson on its lead NFL broadcast team for the rest of the 2026 season. His assignment followed Romo’s nine-year tenure as the network’s lead analyst.
DepositphotosNantz praises Watt’s preparation
While discussing Romo’s departure, Nantz also spoke positively about Watt’s work in the broadcast booth. He highlighted Watt’s detailed preparation for games and his willingness to share information with the production team throughout the week.
Nantz stressed that his comments about Watt were not intended as criticism of Romo. He explained that the two analysts have different broadcasting styles, and he described his current partnership with Watt as more traditional in structure.
bertys30/DepositphotosRomo built a broadcasting career after the NFL
Romo retired from playing after the 2016 NFL season following a 13-year career with the Dallas Cowboys. He made four Pro Bowl appearances and became one of the most recognizable quarterbacks in the franchise’s recent history.
His transition to CBS in 2017 shifted him from playing football to explaining it on television. The network immediately gave him a leading analyst role, pairing him with Nantz rather than requiring him to start on a secondary broadcast team.
photoworksmedia/DepositphotosRomo’s next broadcasting role remains undecided
Romo retired after the 2016 NFL season, ending a Dallas Cowboys tenure that began when he joined the organization as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He appeared in regular-season games from 2004 through 2016 and earned four Pro Bowl selections.
Romo joined CBS Sports in 2017 and moved directly into the network’s lead NFL game analyst position. CBS paired him with Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson instead of first assigning him to a secondary broadcast team.
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katatonia82/DepositphotosNantz leaves the door open for a reunion
Jim Nantz has expressed continued personal support for Tony Romo following their professional separation at CBS Sports. Nantz said he believes Romo will work in broadcasting again, although he does not know whether Romo will return to calling games or pursue a studio role.
CBS Sports confirmed that J.J. Watt will remain alongside Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson on its lead NFL broadcast team for the rest of the 2026 season. As of October 19, 2026, Romo’s next broadcasting position had not been announced.
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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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