Tony Romo’s CBS Future Suffers Major Blow After JJ Watt’s Strong Debut

J.J. Watt, widely regarded as one of the most exceptional pass rushers in NFL history, officially joined CBS as their lead NFL analyst alongside Jim Nantz for their Week 1 NFC North rivalry game between the Packers and Vikings. This came about after Tony Romo, who had been paired with Nantz since 2017, was sidelined due to a legal incident in Milwaukee.

Watt's analytical breakdowns and candid commentary seemed to complement Nantz's refined delivery, with CBS insider Andrew Marchand of The Athletic suggesting that Watt might have already surpassed Romo's role. During the pregame show, CBS host James Brown welcomed the new duo, with Nantz enthusiastically expressing his excitement about their partnership.

Romo was notably absent from the conversation, implying that CBS had moved past him. CBS had previously placed Romo on leave following his OWI arrest and hasn't officially confirmed his return before Week 4 of the 2026 season. Reports indicate that a buyout of the remaining four years and approximately $72 million from his 10-year, $180 million contract could be a possibility.