JJ Watt solidified in CBS’ No. 1 booth after Tony Romo exit

CBS and Tony Romo have officially parted ways, ending the former Cowboys quarterback’s nine-year run as the network’s lead NFL analyst following the QB’s leave over an OWI arrest this summer.

Things in the CBS booths will maintain the status quo, for now.

“JJ Watt will continue to partner with Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson on our lead NFL announce team for the rest of the season,” CBS said in a statement.

“All other teams remain the same, including Ian Eagle, Ross Tucker and Evan Washburn.”

Tony Romo is in the broadcast booth during the first half of an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Cincinnati Bengals in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017. Romo, the Dallas franchise leader in passing yards and touchdowns, will soon call his first Cowboys game as the lead analyst for CBS. AP

There is no indication of what will happen beyond this season.

Romo signed a 10-year, $180 million extension with CBS in 2020.

He had four years and $72 million remaining on the deal, though no financial terms of the split have been announced.

The former Cowboys star will “probably received a good portion” of the money left on his deal, per The Athletic.

The news comes amid multiple massive contracts in the NFL broadcasting landscape in recent weeks.

Amazon Prime Video’s Kirk Herbstreit agreed to a new deal this week, which comes with a possible exit plan if Rams coach Sean McVay joins up on a reported offer worth nearly $20 million per year.

CBS Sports analyst J.J. Watt on set prior to the AFC Championship Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 26, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. Getty Images

ESPN agreed to a whopping six-year, $108 million extension with “Monday Night Football” voice Joe Buck in September.

It’s unclear who will be working alongside Nantz next season. CBS could choose to promote one of its own analysts, or look elsewhere.

Buck’s deal brought up questions for his partner, Troy Aikman, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season. Should Aikman not be re-signed by ESPN, and Watt not continue on CBS’ lead team, CBS could be a potential destination for Aikman — though it would indicate the end of Buck and Aikman’s historic 25-year booth partnership, the longest in NFL history.

Troy Aikman (r.) is still waiting for a new contract while ESPN has already extended Joe Buck (l.) Getty Images

Whenever he might choose to take off the headset and move away from coaching, McVay will likely be a popular candidate. Amazon tried to recruit McVay in 2022 before hiring Herbstreit during the same offseason that saw Tom Brady sign with Fox. 

Along the same lines, if he chooses to hang it up, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has long been considered to have a future in broadcasting. 49ers general manager John Lynch has also piqued interest.

Free agents after this season, alongside Aikman, include Prime Video’s Al Michaels, Eagle, Fox’s Greg Olsen and Watt, so the potential for shifts in the NFL broadcasting realm is even higher now that there is not yet a confirmed No. 1 color analyst for CBS next year.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *